CSF Meningitis/Encephalitis Pathogen Panel PCR

• PREFERRED- ME Panel Performed if Cell count/Diff shows >5 WBC- For this indication testing will only be performed if >5 WBC’s are reported. If ≤5 WBC’s are reported the ME panel testing will be cancelled.
• Patient is Immunocompromised- Testing always performed
• Very high clinical concern for infectious encephalitis - Testing always performed
• Pre-treated CSF sample with concerns for acute bacterial meningitis - Testing always performed

• Escherichia coli K1
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Streptococcus agalactiae
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Enterovirus (EV)
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1)
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2)
• Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
• Human Parechovirus (HPeV)
• Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
• Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii

Specimen Type: Spinal fluid
Collection Container: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL

0.5 mL

Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

CSF collected from indwelling CNS medical device (ex. shunt) is not acceptable.

Next day

This testing is performed with the FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) PCR Panel. A negative result does not rule out central nervous system infection and results from this panel are not intended to be used as the sole basis for diagnosis, treatment, or other patient management decisions. Consider pathogen specific testing if FilmArray ME is negative but clinical suspicion is high for a particular infection. False negative results could be due to the presence of strains with genetic variability in the target regions, concentration of pathogen nucleic acid below the limit of detection, or improper specimen handling. This test has not been specifically evaluated with CSF from immunocompromised patients and this test may be affected by concurrent antimicrobial therapy. Positive results may be due to detection of non-viable organism. Clinical correlation is required. False positives may result from contamination during specimen collection or processing. This test should not be used for monitoring treatment of infection.
The FilmArray ME Panel does not distinguish between latent and active HHV-6 or CMV infection. Detection of these viruses may indicate primary infection, secondary reactivation, or the presence of latent virus. Reactivation may occur during infection due to other pathogens, including agents not detected by the FilmArray ME panel that may cause meningitis/encephalitis (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis or HIV). Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological information.

Due to decreased sensitivity for detection of  Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii with the Biofire ME panel, if these organisms are suspected Cryptococcal antigen testing should also be ordered.