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Test Code BTP Beta-Trace Protein, 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.



Specimen Required


Specimen Type: Body fluid

Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Sterile container, syringe (with needle removed), test tube, or microtube

Acceptable: Plain cotton swab, pledget, gauze, or facial tissue

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

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

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

 a. For gauze or facial tissue: circle area on the gauze where specimen was collected.

 b. For swab, pledget, gauze or facial tissue: place in a small container (plain test tube or sterile container).

3. Do not collect specimen with a culture swab.

4. Do not add any additional liquid other than source to the swab or gauze.

5. Do not collect or send swab or gauze specimens in containers with additional liquids or additives.

Additional Information:

1. 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.

2.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.


Useful For

Determining the presence of cerebrospinal fluid in body fluids

Method Name

Nephelometry

Reporting Name

Beta-Trace Protein, BF

Specimen Type

Body Fluid

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Body Fluid Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK
Gross icterus OK
Specimens with additives (eg, microbiology transport media, TransFix/EDTA) Reject

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

 

Beta-trace protein (prostaglandin D synthase) is one of the most abundant proteins in CSF and has a very low concentration in other body fluids. Elevated concentrations of beta-trace protein in body fluid or drainage are consistent with CSF leakage.

Reference Values

Beta-trace protein concentration <5 mg/L is negative for cerebrospinal fluid

Beta-trace protein concentration 5-7 mg/L is indeterminate for presence of cerebrospinal fluid

Beta-trace protein concentration >7 mg/L is consistent with the presence of cerebrospinal fluid

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

1 to 3 days

Specimen Retention Time

14 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

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

83883

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
BTP Beta-Trace Protein, BF 57733-8

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
BTPC Beta-Trace Protein, BF 57733-8