Effect of sample processing and time delay on cell count and chemistry tests in cerebrospinal fluid collected from drainage systems

摘要

IntroductionCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from extra-ventricular drainage (EVD) systems is routinely analysed to diagnose EVD–related bacterial meningitis. We investigated the effect of time delay and sample processing on cell count and basic biochemistry results in EVD CSF to define optimal turnaround time and whether manual and automated cell counting are comparable in such samples.