Test Code OLIG / OLIG-M Oligoclonal Banding, Serum and Spinal Fluid
Additional Codes
Software | Test Code |
---|---|
Label Text | OLIG |
EPIC | LAB20190 |
Mayo Laboratories | OLIG |
Reporting Name
Oligoclonal BandingUseful For
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis; especially useful in patients with equivocal clinical presentation and radiological findings
Profile Information
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
OLIGS | Serum Bands | No | Yes |
OLIGC | CSF Bands | No | Yes |
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
CSFSerum
Specimen Required
Both serum and spinal fluid are required. Spinal fluid must be obtained within 7 days of serum collection.
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
2. Label specimen as serum.
Specimen Type: Spinal fluid
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions: Label specimen as spinal fluid.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Serum, Spinal Fluid: 0.4 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Ambient | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days | |
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Ambient | 14 days | |
Frozen | 14 days |
Reference Values
CSF Oligoclonal Bands Interpretation: <2 bands
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
83916 x 2
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
OLIG | Oligoclonal Banding | 100757-4 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
8017 | CSF Bands | 49852-7 |
2783 | Serum Bands | 100755-8 |
23611 | CSF Olig Bands Interpretation | 100756-6 |
Clinical Information
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is dependent on clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings. The detection of increased intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the basis for current diagnostic laboratory tests for MS. These tests include the measurement of kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CSF oligoclonal band (OCB) detection. Abnormal CSF OCB patterns have been reported in 70% to 80% of MS patients.
Increased intrathecal Ig synthesis may occur in other inflammatory CSF diseases and, therefore this assay is not specific for MS.
Cautions
This test is not specific for multiple sclerosis.
Method Description
The oligoclonal band (OCB) assay requires paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples. Unconcentrated CSF and diluted serum are electrophoresed by isoelectric focusing. The separated immunoglobulins (Ig) are visualized by an IgG immunoblot, and OCBs that are present in the CSF and not in the serum are reported. The assay uses reagents from Helena Laboratories.(Keir G, Luxton RW, Thompson EJ: Isoelectric focusing of cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulins G: an annotated update. Ann Clin Biochem 1990;27:436-443; Hortin GL: Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins. In: Burtis CA, Bruns DE, eds. Tietz Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2015:chap 18)
Report Available
2 to 4 daysReject Due To
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Gross icterus | OK |
Method Name
Isoelectric Focusing (IEF) with IgG Immunoblot Detection