CSF is another innovative assay Sebia has developed specifically to detect and identify immunoglobulin based oligoclonal patterns in unconcentrated spinal fluid. There are several benefits of using unconcentrated spinal fluid. First, the time and cost of concentrating a fluid is eliminated. Secondly, as spinal fluid specimens are routinely provided in extremely small volumes, laboratories are often challenged to complete all requested testing. Concentration of this precious sample normally requires 2 to 3mL of fluid. With Sebia's CSF assay, only 1.5mL of fluid used, and this is frequently diluted before testing.

The CSF assay combines a high resolution electrophoresis with an ultra-sensitive immunofixation procedure guaranteeing that any banding identified is truly immunoglobulin based. The IgG concentrations of the paired fluids are optimized through a dilution process. Utilization of the HydraPLUS™ greatly reduces the time involved in sample prep with this assay! Paired serum and CSF samples are processed side-by-side and compared for the presence of any banding present in the CSF, but not in the patient's serum sample. Any such banding pattern would be indicative of intrathecal production of immunoglobulins often found with the central nervous system degeneration associated with Multiple Sclerosis. Since greater than 99% of all oligoclonal banding is IgG in nature, this antiserum is most commonly used; however, Anti-IgA, IgM, Kappa and Lambda are also available for spinal fluid panel testing.

The determination as to whether nasal and ear leakage fluid is CSF in nature has always been a challenge again because the small quantity of fluid collected and the need for concentration. Anti-transferrin is available from Sebia for positive identification of these leakage fluids utilizing the CSF assay.