Announcement
Effective 11/29/22, Warde Medical Laboratory (WML) will change its threshold for a positive cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal banding study to two (2) or more unique CSF bands (test codes: MSP, OBAND). Previously, WML used a 4-band threshold as recommended by Fortini et al (Am J Clin Pathol 2003; 120:672-675) since the higher resolution isoelectric focusing method used at WML had a higher sensitivity than the gel electrophoresis methods previously used in the determination of diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the current McDonald criteria for the diagnosis of MS specifically reintroduced the presence of two (2) or more unique CSF oligoclonal bands as a diagnostic criterion for MS, even when using high resolution isoelectric focusing methods (Thompson et al: Lancet Neurol 2018; 17:162-73). As was the case with the previous threshold, however, please note that the presence of CSF-specific oligoclonal bands is not specific for MS, as CSF-specific IgG synthesis may also be found in patients with other neurologic diseases including infectious, inflammatory, cerebrovascular, and neoplastic disorders.
OBAND – Oligoclonal Bands
MSP – Multiple Sclerosis Panel