Beta-2 Transferrin
0050047
 
Ordering Recommendation
 
Mnemonic
B2TRNSF
Methodology
Qualitative Immunofixation Electrophoresis
Performed
Sun-Sat
Reported
1-4 days
New York DOH Approval Status
This test is New York DOH approved.
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation
 
Collect
Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red AND aural or nasal fluid in sterile container.
Specimen Preparation
Do not freeze. Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transport 2 mL serum AND 2 mL aural or nasal fluid in a tube without preservative. (Min: 0.5 mL serum and 1 mL aural or nasal fluid)
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Unacceptable Conditions
Plasma.
Remarks
 
Stability
Ambient: 4 hours; Refrigerated: 72 hours; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval
None detected
Interpretive Data
Detection of a beta-2 transferrin band by IFE is diagnostic for the presence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This test is useful in the differential diagnosis for CSF otorrhea or CSF rhinorrhea. Beta-2 transferrin is not detected by this methodology in normal serum, tears, saliva, sputum, nasal, or aural fluid.

The performance characteristics of this test were determined by ARUP Laboratories, Inc.

See Compliance Statement B: www.aruplab.com/CS  
Note
The beta-2 transferrin protein assay by IFE methodology is not a reliable method for detecting human perilymph due to the low sensitivity of the assay.
CPT Code(s)
86334; 86335
Components
Component Test Code*Component Chart Name
0050047Beta-2 Transferrin
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, contact interface support at interface.support@aruplab.com.
Cross References
  • CSF Leakage Detection
  • CSF-Specific Transferrin
  • Desialated Transferrin
  • Tau CSF Protein