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Cerebrospinal Fluid, Culture-Provincial

Discipline

Microbiology

Overview

Description

To establish the presence of bacteria and yeast from clinical specimens. A positive culture indicates the presence of microorganisms, suggesting an infection. 

Ordering Recommendations

  • Gram stain included in culture set up. 

  • A separate sterile tube is required for culture. Due to risk of contamination, CSF culture cannot be added on to samples on which other testing has been performed.   

Specimen Information

Specimen types accepted

  • CSF

Specimen collection container

  • CSF: Sterile Container

Collection procedure

  • A lumbar puncture is the preferred method for collecting CSF for culture

Required volume

  • Minimum 1 mL CSF

Transport and stability

  • It is preferred not to refrigerate CSF prior to set up for culture.

  • Stable at ambient for 3 hours. 

Testing Information

Relevant clinical history

Patient History

  • Patients with clinical evidence of meningitis or encephalitis should also have a separate tube of CSF sent for PCR testing. Meningitis/encephalitis PCR cannot be added on to CSF after culture set up due to risk of contamination.

  • Patients suspected of cryptococcal meningitis should also have a Cryptococcal CSF Antigen test.

Performance

Days/times performed

  • All specimens will be tested at the nearest microbiology laboratory.

Maximum laboratory time

  • Turnaround time of 2-4 hours from receipt in lab for CSF gram stain. 

  • Culture TAT of 5-7 days. 

Specimen retention time

RGH/PasquaRemaining CSF is retained (frozen) for 2 months after culturing.
SaskatoonCSF retained for 7 days after initial processing. 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: November 14, 2025