Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

2-3 mL (preferred), 1 mL (minimum)

First tube collected in a series should not be used for cell counts. Indicate specimen source on label and requisition. Clotted and partially clotted specimens will receive a comment, "Fluid clotted cell count questionable". "

Do not centrifuge or freeze.

Room temperature.

Room temperature: 4 hours.

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Color: Colorless 
Clarity: Clear 
Newborn (0-7 days) TNC <30 cells/uL RBC <1,000 cells/uL Neutrophils 0-8% Lymphocytes 5-35% Monocytes 50-90% Eosinophils 0-1% 
Infant (7 days - 3 months) TNC <7 cells/uL RBC <50 cells/uL Neutrophils 0-8% Lymphocytes 5-35% Monocytes 50-90% Eosinophils 0-1% 
Child (3 months - 18 years) TNC <5 cells/uL RBC <5 cells/uL Neutrophils 0-6% Lymphocytes 40-80% Monocytes 15-45% Eosinophils 0-1% 
Adult (>18 years) TNC <5 cells/uL RBC <5 cells/uL Neutrophils 0-6% Lymphocytes 40-80% Monocytes 15-45% Eosinophils 0-1% 
Other cells rarely present in CSF fluid. 
Reference ranges modified from Body Fluid Analysis for Cellular Composition; Proposed Guideline, Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, H56-P, Vol. 25, Nov. 20, 2005.

Red cells are increased in trauma and hemorrhage. 
White blood cells are increased in inflammatory and infectious processes:
- neutrophils predominate in bacterial infections
- lymphocytes predominate in viral infection 
- macrophages may be increased in inflammatory and infectious processes
- eosinophils may be increased in parasitic or fungal infections.

Color, Clarity, Total cells count (TCC) (Note: This includes WBC count and other nucleated cells including epithelial cells, histiocytes, macrophages, mesothelial cells etc.) , RBC, TNC differential = % of each cell type in 100 total nucleated cells

BFC, cell count, fluid cell count, CSF cell count

Quantitative determination of cells including WBCs, RBCs, and CSF lining cells in CSF, which aids in the diagnoses of autoimmune disorders, malignancy, infection, and trauma.