CSF Beta 2 Transferrin and Beta Trace Protein EQA
| Accreditation Status: | UKAS Schedule of Accreditation | ||||||||
| Date Scheme started: | 2011 | ||||||||
| Clinical Applicability: |
The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea (leakage of CSF into the nose or ear canal, usually as a result of head trauma, tumour, congenital malformation, or surgery) is often difficult to confirm. CSF β2 Transferrin/ β Trace Protein testing is used to determine the presence or absence of CSF (in serum) in such cases. Beta 2 Transferrin is only found in CSF, ocular fluids and perilymph; therefore, it can be used as a marker to determine the presence of CSF in various secretions (typically from the nose and ear). β Trace Protein can also be used. |
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| Analytes: | CSF β2 Transferrin, β Trace Protein (SER/046) | ||||||||
| Units for Reporting: |
Qualitative: Positive /Negative Quantitative: mg/L |
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| Samples Distributed: | Normal and pathological human serum. Serum based or CSF samples. | ||||||||
| Number of Distributions per year: | 6 | ||||||||
| Number of Samples per Distribution: | 2 | ||||||||
| Frequency of Distributions: | Every two months as outlined in the Distribution Schedule | ||||||||
| Schedule of Analysis: | Data entry is via the web for the submission of results. Data analysis commences 28 days after sample dispatch. Late returns are accepted and will contribute to the laboratory's cumulative performance statistics. | ||||||||
| Data Analysis: |
Qualitative responses are assessed by MI scoring in relation to the designated response. |
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| Performance Scoring: | MI scoring | ||||||||
| Criteria of Performance: |
Laboratory performance is assessed over a running analytical window of 6 Distributions (12 months)
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| Persistent Poor Performance: |
Defined as being in the Poor Performance category for two or more successive Distributions |