Amino Acids (CSF)

Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Chemical Pathology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

BGA

Test Code (Numeric Code)

6290

Laboratory Handling

Phlebotomy

0.5 mL CSF. The CSF must not be blood stained. A brief clinical history is essential.

Transport

Send on ice to the laboratory immediately.

Registration

BGA

Separating

Register samples and hand-deliver all tubes received, with copy of form and numbers to Biochemical Genetics, Specialist Chemical Pathology IMMEDIATELY (unless Microbiology tests also requested). Out of hours - Register and freeze samples IMMEDIATELY in Biochemical Genetic rack in Freezer 36 at -20 o C

Laboratory

LabPLUS Biochemical Genetics

Sample Stability

These can be tested and remain stable for 2 weeks. Record any delays on the request form.

Synonyms

CSF Aminoacids

Turnaround Time

10 days

Turnaround Time: Between 5 days and 1 week, 3 days Test is available urgently if required contact laboratory on x22016 or via LabLink.

Specimen Type

• CSF

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• CSF sterile tubes (Routine Analysis)

Acceptable

• N/A

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• N/A

Acceptable

• N/A

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.2

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.1

Pre-testing Requirements

The CSF must not be blood stained. A brief clinical history is essential.

Additional Specimen Information

Laboratory Notes

Auckland Hospital samples:
Register samples and hand-deliver all tubes received, with copy of form and numbers to Biochemical Genetics, Specialist Chemical Pathology IMMEDIATELY (unless Microbiology tests also requested).

Out of hours - Register and freeze samples IMMEDIATELY in Biochemical Genetic rack in Freezer 36 at -20C.

External samples:

CSF from referral laboratories should arrive frozen; if thawed, please note on form.

Store in Biochemical Genetics Section of Freezer 36.

Note: A dedicated aliquot of CSF is required for amino acid. Please do not forward any ALSS aliquot to BG due to known interference from pH dipstick.

Aliquot Instructions

Transport to Lab

Frozen

Additional Referral/Aliquot Information

Specimen Transport Instructions for Referring Laboratories:

If CSF is clear, freeze specimen immediately.
If CSF blood-stained, centrifuge immediately and freeze supernatant. Please note on the request form that it was blood-stained.
Send frozen to LabPlus (-70C if possible).

Test Method

Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Pre-column derivatisation with reverse phase separation

Limitations / Interference

Blood stained samples will give falsely elevated amino acid concentrations.

Uncertainty of Measurement

Please contact the Biochemical Genetics Clinical Scientist or Chemical Pathologist to discuss sources of test uncertainty such as but not limited to measurement uncertainty and biological variation.

Contact Information