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Test Code
MBP
Test Name
Myelin Basic Protein, CSF
CPT Codes
83873
Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 5 days
Clinical Utility

The concentration of MBP is often increased in patients with demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis and may be increased in patients with head injury, CNS trauma, tumor, stroke, and viral encephalitis.
Specimen and Container Info

Specimen Type: CSF

Collection Container: Sterile, Non-Additive Container (CSF) 

Desired Specimen Volume: 1.2 mL
Collection Instructions
  1. Collect CSF via lumbar puncture.
  2. CSF collection tube #4 is preferred. Submitting the 4th lumbar puncture collection tube minimizes blood contamination.
Processing and Submission Instructions
  1. Transfer 1.2 mL of CSF to a sterile aliquot tube (screw cap).
Transport Instructions

Transport to the laboratory frozen.
Stability Requirements

Room Temperature

7 days

Refrigerated

14 days

Frozen

21 days
Causes for Rejection
  • Hemolysis
  • Xanthochromia/RBCs in CSF
Methodology
Radioimmunoassay
Reference Intervals

 See patient report.
Reference Lab
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
Testing Schedule
Routine, 3 times per week
The American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes published by HNL Lab Medicine are guidelines and are intended for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the exclusive responsibility of the billing entity. View the Terms.
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