Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and CSF

This test is used to study the presence of oligoclonal bands, which are multiple IgG immunoglobulin bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which are not present in serum. These IgG immunoglobulins are produced by a small number of immunocompetent B cell clones, each producing a different clone of IgG. More than 90% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show oligoclonal IgG bands in electrophoretograms of cerebrospinal fluid.

Detection of oligoclonal bands in CSF supports the diagnosis of demyelinating disease in general and of MS in particular. In the differential diagnosis of chronic neurological disorders, oligoclonal IgG synthesised in CSF cannot distinguish between diseases, but the loss of bands seen in some patients contrasts with what is seen in multiple sclerosis, and thus may be a useful diagnostic clue.

2 ml CSF & 1 ml Serum Refrigerated

Negative for Oligoclonal Banding