Collect

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from lumbar puncture collected in CSF sterile tube.
Minimum volume: 1.5mL (A minimum of 200uL is required for the assay plus 1mL required for culture and cytospin Gram stain)
 

The Meningitis/Encephalitis (M/E) PCR panel is not intended for testing of specimens collected from indwelling Central Nervous System (CNS) medical devices, and such specimens will not be tested.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens collected from indwelling CNS medical devices.

If insufficient CSF is sent for both culture and M/E panel the M/E panel will be cancelled and the culture performed.

The M/E panel is a test of diagnosis and not a test of cure, and should not be used to follow treatment response.

CSF specimens collected from inpatients, other than Bone Marrow transplant (BMT) patients, who develop central nervous system symptoms >72 hours (3 days) after admission to the hospital are not acceptable for analysis and will be cancelled. 

Specimens from all inpatients, including BMT patients, who have already been tested in the past 30 days will be cancelled.

If cryptococcal disease is expected, the CSF cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test should be ordered with the M/E panel to exclude false negative results for Cryptococcus neoformans/gatti.

 

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Performed

24 hours/day; 7 days/week
Repeat testing will not be performed within 30 days of the previous specimen submission.

Remarks

Panel Components:
  • E. coli K1
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated)
  • Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus)
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
  • Enterovirus (EV)
  • Human parechovirus (HPeV)
  • Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
  • Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)

Notes

Microbiology (Virology) ST-730

Phone (main): (212)746-2400

Phone (virology): (212)746-2425

Requests: orderable in Eclipsys

Collect

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from lumbar puncture collected in CSF sterile tube.
Minimum volume: 1.5mL (A minimum of 200uL is required for the assay plus 1mL required for culture and cytospin Gram stain)
 

The Meningitis/Encephalitis (M/E) PCR panel is not intended for testing of specimens collected from indwelling Central Nervous System (CNS) medical devices, and such specimens will not be tested.

Ordering Recommendations

CSF culture MUST be ordered in conjunction with the M/E PCR Panel.

 

Performed

24 hours/day; 7 days/week
Repeat testing will not be performed within 30 days of the previous specimen submission.

Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Synonyms

  • ME PCR

Turn Around Time

2 hours after the specimen has been received in Microbiology

Reference Interval


Not Detected

Interpretive Data

Results are obtained using the BioFire Diagnostics Inc. FilmArray M/E PCR Panel. This assay does not distinguish between latent and active CMV and HHV-6 infections. Non-K1 E. coli serotypes and non-encapsulated strains of Neisseria meningitidis may be present in the CSF and not be detected by the M/E PCR panel. Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical laboratory and epidemiologic information.
When CSF protein exceeds 15 mg/dL, negative results should be interpreted with caution.
 
The FilmArray M/E PCR Panel is a qualitative test and does not provide a quantitative value for the organisms in the specimen. It has not been established for monitoring treatment of infection.

CPT Codes

87483
Collection

Collect

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from lumbar puncture collected in CSF sterile tube.
Minimum volume: 1.5mL (A minimum of 200uL is required for the assay plus 1mL required for culture and cytospin Gram stain)
 

The Meningitis/Encephalitis (M/E) PCR panel is not intended for testing of specimens collected from indwelling Central Nervous System (CNS) medical devices, and such specimens will not be tested.

Unacceptable Conditions

Specimens collected from indwelling CNS medical devices.

If insufficient CSF is sent for both culture and M/E panel the M/E panel will be cancelled and the culture performed.

The M/E panel is a test of diagnosis and not a test of cure, and should not be used to follow treatment response.

CSF specimens collected from inpatients, other than Bone Marrow transplant (BMT) patients, who develop central nervous system symptoms >72 hours (3 days) after admission to the hospital are not acceptable for analysis and will be cancelled. 

Specimens from all inpatients, including BMT patients, who have already been tested in the past 30 days will be cancelled.

If cryptococcal disease is expected, the CSF cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test should be ordered with the M/E panel to exclude false negative results for Cryptococcus neoformans/gatti.

 

Storage/Transport Temperature

Room temperature

Performed

24 hours/day; 7 days/week
Repeat testing will not be performed within 30 days of the previous specimen submission.

Remarks

Panel Components:
  • E. coli K1
  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated)
  • Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus)
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii
  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  • Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
  • Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
  • Enterovirus (EV)
  • Human parechovirus (HPeV)
  • Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
  • Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)

Notes

Microbiology (Virology) ST-730

Phone (main): (212)746-2400

Phone (virology): (212)746-2425

Requests: orderable in Eclipsys

Container

Collect

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from lumbar puncture collected in CSF sterile tube.
Minimum volume: 1.5mL (A minimum of 200uL is required for the assay plus 1mL required for culture and cytospin Gram stain)
 

The Meningitis/Encephalitis (M/E) PCR panel is not intended for testing of specimens collected from indwelling Central Nervous System (CNS) medical devices, and such specimens will not be tested.
Ordering

Ordering Recommendations

CSF culture MUST be ordered in conjunction with the M/E PCR Panel.

 

Performed

24 hours/day; 7 days/week
Repeat testing will not be performed within 30 days of the previous specimen submission.

Methodology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Synonyms

  • ME PCR

Turn Around Time

2 hours after the specimen has been received in Microbiology
Result Interpretation

Reference Interval


Not Detected

Interpretive Data

Results are obtained using the BioFire Diagnostics Inc. FilmArray M/E PCR Panel. This assay does not distinguish between latent and active CMV and HHV-6 infections. Non-K1 E. coli serotypes and non-encapsulated strains of Neisseria meningitidis may be present in the CSF and not be detected by the M/E PCR panel. Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical laboratory and epidemiologic information.
When CSF protein exceeds 15 mg/dL, negative results should be interpreted with caution.
 
The FilmArray M/E PCR Panel is a qualitative test and does not provide a quantitative value for the organisms in the specimen. It has not been established for monitoring treatment of infection.
Administrative

CPT Codes

87483

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