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Beta-2 Transferrin
0050047
Ordering Recommendation

Aids in diagnosis of CSF leak.

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.
Submit With Order
ARUP Consult®
Disease Topics
Specimen Required
Patient Preparation
 
Collect
Aural or nasal fluid in sterile container. 
Specimen Preparation
Do not freeze.   Transport 2 mL aural or nasal fluid in a tube without preservative. (Min: 1 mL aural or nasal fluid) 
Storage/Transport Temperature
Refrigerated. 
Unacceptable Conditions
 
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.

Compliance Statement B: This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by ARUP Laboratories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved or cleared this test; however, FDA clearance or approval is not currently required for clinical use. The results are not intended to be used as the sole means for clinical diagnosis or patient management decisions.

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)
86335
Components
Component Test Code*Component Chart NameLOINC
0050047Beta-2 Transferrin13876-8
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.
Aliases
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage
  • Transferrin, Spinal Fluid
  • B2 Transferrin
  • CSF Leakage Detection
  • CSF Specific Transferrin
  • CSF-Specific Transferrin
  • Desialated Transferrin
  • Tau CSF Protein
  • Transferrin B2