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Test Code BETA2 Beta-2 Transferrin: Detection of Spinal Fluid in Other Body Fluid

Reporting Name

Beta-2 Transferrin, BF

Useful For

Detection of spinal fluid in body fluids, such as ear or nasal fluid

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Body Fluid


Additional Testing Requirements


If specimens are collected from multiple sites on the body (ie, left and right), each specimen must be sent under a separate order.



Necessary Information


Indicate specimen source. Include whether the source is from the right or left side of the body, if applicable.



Specimen Required


Specimen Type: Body fluid

Sources: Nasal, otic, wound, etc

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Sterile container, syringe, test tube, or microtube

Acceptable: Plain cotton swab or gauze

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. If submitting a syringe, remove needle. Add cap to end of syringe.

2. If direct collection is not feasible, specimen may be collected using a plain cotton swab or gauze.

3. If gauze is used to collect specimen, circle area on the gauze where specimen was collected.

4. Place cotton swab or gauze in as small a container as possible (eg, plain test tube or collection container).

5. Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.

6. Do not add any liquid to the swab or gauze.

Additional Information:

1. Specimens collected from above the shoulders risk salivary contamination, which can degrade the beta-2 transferrin protein. These specimens should be frozen immediately following collection and kept frozen until testing is performed.

2. Although results may be obtainable on smaller specimens (perhaps as little as 0.05 mL, depending on the protein concentrations and percentage of spinal fluid in the specimen), reliable results are best obtained with an adequate specimen volume.

3. Specimens collected with additives such as microbiology media (eg, Stuart or Amies liquid medium) or TransFix/EDTA (used for analyses in flow cytometry) yield uninterpretable results and will be rejected.


Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Body Fluid Frozen (preferred)
  Ambient 
  Refrigerated 

Reference Values

Negative, no beta-2 transferrin (spinal fluid) detected

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. It has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

86335

Clinical Information

The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea (leakage of CSF into the nose or ear canal, usually as a result of head trauma, tumor, congenital malformation, or surgery) is often difficult to confirm. Traditional chemical analyses (eg, glucose, protein, specific gravity) are unreliable. Radiographic studies, especially those involving the injection of dyes or radiographic compounds, are costly and may introduce additional risks to the patient.

 

Transferrin that migrates in the beta-1 electrophoretic fraction (beta-1 transferrin) is found in most body fluids. Beta-2 transferrin is a CSF-specific variant of transferrin and is used as an endogenous marker of CSF leakage. Beta-2 transferrin is formed by loss of sialic acid due to the presence of neuraminidase in the central nervous system. Beta-2 transferrin has also been called CSF-specific transferrin and tau protein.

 

Prompt diagnosis and localization facilitates appropriate decisions and decreases the risk of meningitis.

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Method Name

Electrophoresis/Immunofixation