hRI Working Group hCAMI Subcommittee

The Harmonized CSF Analysis for MS Investigation (hCAMI) Subcommittee was formed in 2023 with the goal of establishing recommendations for laboratory processes and reporting of CSF oligoclonal banding and associated tests supporting MS diagnosis.

• Chairs: Victoria Higgins, Daniel Beriault and Michelle Parker
• Current and Past Members:
  • Basma Ahmed
  • Vipin Bhayana
  • Ron Booth
  • Yu Chen
  • Christine Collier
  • Mark Freedman
  • Myriam Gagné
  • Jessica Gifford
  • Fabrizio Guiliani
  • Ola Ismail
  • Joe Macri
  • Craig Moore
  • Ashley Newbigging
  • Lily Olayinka
  • Ilia Poliakov
  • Karina Rodriguez-Capote
  • Raphael Schneider
  • Simon Thebault
  • Liju Yang

 
PUBLICATIONS
 
January 2025
A survey of Canadian neurologists’ perspectives and preferences for laboratory reporting of CSF oligoclonal banding
Higgins V, Parker ML, Beriault DR, Mostafa A, Estey MP, Agbor T, Ismail OZ; Higgins V, Parker ML, Beriault DR, Mostafa A, Estey MP, Agbor T, Ismail OZ. A survey of Canadian neurologists’ perspectives and preferences for laboratory reporting of CSF oligoclonal banding. Clin Biochem. 2025 Jan:135:110855. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2024.110855. PMID: 39577716.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39577716/
This article presented the work of the Harmonized CSF Analysis for MS Investigation (hCAMI) subcommittee, tasked with developing harmonized reporting for CSF oligoclonal banding and related tests. The subcommittee conducted a survey of 22 neurologists across nine Canadian provinces, asking about clinical practices, reporting preferences, and the utility of CSF OCB tests. The survey found that most neurologists (64%) preferred a 24-hour limit for paired CSF and serum sample collection. Regarding OCB results, 73% favored a cutoff of ≥2 CSF-specific bands for a positive result, aligning with the 2017 McDonald criteria. Opinions varied on how to report the number of bands and specific conditions in interpretive comments, with some suggesting more research on band count interpretation. Despite differences in reporting preferences, all participants agreed that CSF OCB results were valuable, with 64% considering them more important than other CSF tests for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings underscore the need for further research and collaboration to standardize MS diagnostic practices in Canada.
 
June 2023
Variation in processes and reporting of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal banding and associated tests and calculated indices across Canadian clinical laboratories
Higgins V, Beriault D, Mostafa A, Estey MP, Agbor T, Ismail OZ, Parker ML; Variation in processes and reporting of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal banding and associated tests and calculated indices across Canadian clinical laboratories. Clin Biochem. 2023 Jun:116:105-112. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2023.04.006. Epub 2023 Apr 24. PMID: 37100108.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37100108/
The article discusses the efforts of the Harmonized CSF Analysis for MS Investigation (hCAMI) subcommittee to develop standardized reporting for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal banding (OCB) and related tests across Canadian clinical laboratories. A survey with 39 questions was sent to clinical chemists at all 13 laboratories performing CSF OCB analysis, achieving a 100% response rate. The survey found that most laboratories (10/13) use ≥2 CSF-specific bands as the positivity cutoff, in line with the 2017 McDonald Criteria, but only 2/13 report the number of bands with each result. Reporting practices varied widely, including for inflammatory response patterns, monoclonal gammopathy, and associated tests/indices. Additionally, the acceptable time interval for paired CSF and serum collections ranged from 24 hours to no limit. The survey revealed significant variation in processes, reporting, and interpretation across laboratories, highlighting the need for harmonization to ensure consistent and high-quality patient care. The findings call for further clinical stakeholder engagement and research to support the development of standardized laboratory recommendations for CSF OCB analysis.
 
 
PRESENTATIONS
 
December 2024
Tapping into the Potential of CSF for Investigation of Multiple Sclerosis: Harmonized Laboratory Reporting and Emerging Biomarkers
Presentation Type: Oral
Conference Name/Location: University of Alberta Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Grand Rounds. Edmonton AB, Canada
Author: Higgins V
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June 2024
Harmonization of Cerebrospinal Fluid Oligoclonal Banding Reporting
Presentation Type: Poster
Conference Name/Location: Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC). Beaupre QC, Canada
Authors: Higgins V, Beriault D, Bhayana V, Booth RA, Chen Y, Collier CP, Gifford JL, Macri J, Newbigging A, Olayinka L, Parker ML, Rodriguez-Capote K, Schneider R
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