When collecting a CSF specimen for routine bacteriological studies, which tube is suitable for use?

When collecting a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimen for routine bacteriological studies, using a red-top tube is suitable because this type of tube does not contain any additives that could interfere with the bacterial growth or testing. The red-top tube is designed for serum collection and allows any clotting factors in the CSF to be removed through sedimentation, ensuring that the specimen remains as pure as possible for microbiological analysis.

In bacteriological studies, it's crucial to avoid any additives that could inhibit bacterial growth or interfere with testing processes. Other tubes, such as lavender, light blue, or black, contain specific additives that are meant for different types of laboratory tests. For example, lavender tubes typically contain EDTA as an anticoagulant and are used for hematology tests, while light blue tubes contain sodium citrate and are used for coagulation studies. Black tubes may contain buffered sodium citrate or other additives for specific assays, which are not appropriate for CSF bacteriological analysis. Thus, the red-top tube is the preferred choice for maintaining sample integrity during testing.