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Module UBF-10 · Version 1.0

CSF Cell Identification and Pattern Interpretation

Work a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytospin differential from specimen receipt through a reported pattern. Learn to recognize the common CSF leukocytes and artifacts, judge whether preservation and stain quality support identification, and correlate the differential with cell counts, protein, glucose, and pending microbiology so the laboratory flags what needs review without issuing an independent diagnosis.

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Who this module is for

Clinical laboratory scientists and trainees who perform or review manual CSF cytospin differentials, and who have completed UBF-09 and are comfortable with normal peripheral blood-cell morphology.

Learning objectives

  • Distinguish lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells, macrophages, lining cells, and common preparation artifacts on a CSF cytospin.
  • Recognize reactive, degenerative, malignant-appearing, and microorganism-associated features that require escalation rather than routine reporting.
  • Correlate a CSF differential with cell count, protein, glucose, microbiology, and collection context, and choose a defensible next laboratory action.

How completion works

Mark every required section done and answer every knowledge check in those sections correctly. The final save completes the module automatically.

Sources

19 sources

  1. 1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. H56-A: Body Fluid Analysis for Cellular Composition; Approved Guideline. 1st ed. Wayne, PA: CLSI; 2006. Consensus standard, archived CLSI listing.

    Source note · consensus standard

  2. 2. Steele RW, Marmer DJ, O'Brien MD, Tyson ST, Latham CB. Leukocyte survival in cerebrospinal fluid. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1986;23(5):965-966.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  3. 3. Mlinaric A, et al. Effect of sample processing and time delay on cell count and chemistry tests in cerebrospinal fluid collected from drainage systems. Biochemia Medica. 2018;28(3):030705.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  4. 4. Schwenkenbecher P, et al. Addition of serum-containing medium to cerebrospinal fluid prevents cellular loss over time. Journal of Neurology. 2011;258:1507-1512.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  5. 5. Seehusen DA, Reeves MM, Fomin DA. Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis. American Family Physician. 2021;103(7):422-428.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  6. 6. Thomson J, et al. Determining normative values for cerebrospinal fluid profiles in infants. Hospital Pediatrics. 2021;11(11):1247-1255.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  7. 7. World Health Organization. WHO guidelines on meningitis diagnosis, treatment and care. Geneva: WHO; 2023.

    Source note · professional society guidance

  8. 8. Lummert A, et al. Erythrophages do not develop when lumbar CSF and blood samples are mixed in vitro. BMC Neurology. 2018;18:172.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  9. 9. Beetham R, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology in subacute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Neurology. 2020;95:e1883-e1894.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  10. 10. Frater JL, Shirai CL, Brestoff JR. Technological features of blast identification in the cerebrospinal fluid: a systematic review of flow cytometry and laboratory hematology methods. International Journal of Laboratory Hematology. 2022;44 Suppl 1:45-53.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  11. 11. Arber DA, et al. Initial diagnostic workup of acute leukemia: guideline from the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Hematology. Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine. 2017;141:1342-1393.

    Source note · professional society guidance

  12. 12. Glantz MJ, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology in patients with cancer: minimizing false-negative results. Cancer. 1998;82:733-739.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  13. 13. Pantell RH, et al. Evaluation and management of well-appearing febrile infants 8 to 60 days old. Pediatrics. 2021;148:e2021052228.

    Source note · professional society guidance

  14. 14. Pytel P, et al. Cerebrospinal fluid and central nervous system cytology. Surgical Pathology Clinics. 2020;13:219-244.

    Source note · peer-reviewed literature

  15. 15. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 42 CFR 493.1252, Standard: Procedures for testing.

    Source note · federal guidance

  16. 16. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 42 CFR 493.1274, Standard: Cytology.

    Source note · federal guidance

  17. 17. College of American Pathologists. Laboratory General Checklist, GEN.20377 Record and Material Retention - General Laboratory (Phase II). CAP Accreditation Program, 12.09.2025 edition.

    Source note · accreditation standard

  18. 18. College of American Pathologists. All Common Checklist, COM.40620 Body Fluid Analysis (Phase II). CAP Accreditation Program, 12.09.2025 edition.

    Source note · accreditation standard

  19. 19. College of American Pathologists. Laboratory General Checklist, GEN.74000 Infection Control (Phase II). CAP Accreditation Program, 12.09.2025 edition.

    Source note · accreditation standard