Beta-2 Transferrin

Overview

  • EPIC Code:
  • LAB3000
  • Soft Test Code:
  • BET2T
  • Send Out Test Code:
  • 10640
Clinical Significance

The presence of Beta-2 Transferrin in nasal or ear fluid, or in wound drainage following head trauma, surgery or from tumors or congenital malformation, clearly indicates CSF leaking into these passages or fluids creating a pathway for life-threatening central nervous system infection.


Specimen Collection & Preparation

Specimen Requirements

0.5 mL Fluid in a sterile vial


Alternate Specimen

Cotton Swab soaked with drainage fluid in a sterile vial  (Do not add any additional fluid (Water or Saline)  

or 

Drainage Fluid in a sterile vial


TransportAndStorage

15 days Ambient
30 days Refrigerated (transport)
60 days Frozen


Collection Instructions

Order must include the site and/or source of collection 

Example: Nasal, otic, or other fluids

 

-If direct collection is not feasible, specimen may be collected using plain cotton swab and submitted in a sterile, plastic leak-proof transport tube.

-If submitting syrine, remove needle and cap the syringe to avoid specimen leakage.

 

-Specimens contaminated with salivary fluid degrade the beta-2 transferrin.  These specimens should be frozen immediately following collection and should be kept frozen until testing is performed.

-Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.

-Do not add any liquid to the swab.


Minimum Volume

0.2 mL Fluid


Neonatal Volumne

Clinical Interpretation

Reference Range:

Not detected


Methodology:
  • Electrophoresis
  • Immunofixation

Clinical Significance

The presence of Beta-2 Transferrin in nasal or ear fluid, or in wound drainage following head trauma, surgery or from tumors or congenital malformation, clearly indicates CSF leaking into these passages or fluids creating a pathway for life-threatening central nervous system infection.


Production Schedule

Sites Performed
  • Quest - Chantilly
Days Performed
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Departments
  • Sendouts - Clinical
Turn Around Time

2 to 3 days


Coding & Compliance

CDM

00919402


CPT Coding

86335