Beta-2 Transferrin, Body Fluid, RefLab Mayo
Reference Lab
Detection of spinal fluid in body fluids, such as ear or nasal fluid
Preferred: Sterile container, syringe, test tube, or microtube
Acceptable: Plain cotton swab or gauze
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.