Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens that cannot be cultured immediately should be:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and conditions due to their critical role in diagnosing central nervous system infections. The best practice for handling CSF samples that cannot be immediately cultured is to incubate them at 37°C and culture them as soon as possible.

Incubating the specimens at this temperature helps maintain the viability of any bacteria or fungi that may be present in the sample, ensuring that the organisms can be adequately identified when cultured. This approach mimics physiological conditions and supports the growth of pathogens that may quickly die or become non-culturable if subjected to improper storage conditions. The rapid culturing of CSF is vital, particularly for organisms that require specific growth conditions, as the window for effective pathogen identification can be quite narrow.

Other storage methods, such as refrigeration, freezing, or room temperature storage, may compromise the integrity of the sample. Refrigeration may slow down microbial growth but does not support the best conditions for culturing. Freezing can be damaging to cells and may cause lysis, thus reducing the chances of successful culture. Storing at room temperature for longer than 24 hours increases the risk of degradation and overgrowth of non-pathogenic flora, further complicating culture results