Smears of cerebrospinal fluid are prepared from which material?

The correct choice of cerebrospinal fluid sediment is relevant because preparing smears involves concentrating the cellular components present in the fluid for microscopic examination. When cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is centrifuged, the cells and other particles settle at the bottom of the centrifuge, forming a sediment. This sediment contains key indicators such as white blood cells, bacteria, or other infectious agents that can be critical for diagnosing conditions like meningitis or other CNS infections.

Using uncentrifuged cerebrospinal fluid might not provide a clear enough sample for certain analyses, as the cells are dispersed throughout the fluid, making it difficult to accurately identify or quantify them. Heated cerebrospinal fluid could potentially alter the cellular composition as well as destroy some environmental factors, skewing results. Similarly, frozen cerebrospinal fluid may lead to cellular lysis and loss of morphology, making it unsuitable for smear preparation. Therefore, the sediment derived from centrifuged CSF is the most appropriate for smear preparation as it enhances the visibility and clarity of the microscopic examination.