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Beta‐2 transferrin is detectable for 14 days whether refrigerated or stored at room temperature
Author(s) -
Zervos Thomas M.,
Macki Mohamed,
Cook Bernard,
Schultz Lonnie R.,
Rock Jack P.,
Craig John R.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
international forum of allergy and rhinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.503
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2042-6984
pISSN - 2042-6976
DOI - 10.1002/alr.22136
Subject(s) - medicine , transferrin , cerebrospinal fluid , lumbar puncture , anesthesia , beta (programming language) , lumbar , confidence interval , surgery , computer science , programming language
Background The effect of time and temperature on beta‐2 transferrin stability in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not well established. After collecting nasal CSF for testing, beta‐2 transferrin has been found to be stable and detectable for 1 week, whether being refrigerated or stored at room temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine if beta‐2 transferrin remained detectable longer than 1 week and whether refrigeration improved its detectability. Methods In patients undergoing therapeutic CSF diversion, 2‐mL CSF samples were collected from 18 patients. The samples were divided and stored either at room temperature, or at 4°C, and tested for beta‐2 transferrin at 7 and 14 days. CSF was collected from external ventricular drains (EVDs) (n = 15), lumbar drains (n = 2), and subdural drains (n = 1). Results Of the 18 CSF samples originally testing positive for beta‐2 transferrin, none turned negative at 7 or 14 days, in both the refrigerated and room temperature groups (95% confidence interval [CI], 0% to 18.5%). Conclusion Beta‐2 transferrin remained detectable for 14 days in all CSF samples, regardless of being stored at 4°C or room temperature.