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Broad Range Bacterial PCR and Sequencing,Varies
MessageOrder as a MISC tc# BRBPS
Test Code
MISC.-BRBPS
Alias/See Also
16S Ribosomal PCR
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Bacterial sequencing
Next Generation Sequencing
NGS
16S rRNA gene sequencing
Bacterial sequencing
Next Generation Sequencing
NGS
Preferred Specimen
Varies-See Other Acceptable Specimens
Other Acceptable Specimens
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred Specimen Type:
Specimen Type: Fresh tissue or biopsy
Sources: Normally sterile tissue such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection or 5 mm(3)-approximately the size of a pencil eraser
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh tissue specimen.
2. Submit tissue only, do not add fluid to tissue.
3. Freeze specimen.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days (preferred)/Refrigerated <14 days
Alternate Specimen Type:
Preferred: Paraffin-embedded tissue block:
Supplies: Tissue Block Container (T553)
Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block
Sources: Normally sterile or deep tissues such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Tissue block
Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block to be cut and returned.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Acceptable: Paraffin-embedded tissue block:
Specimen Type: Section (scrolls) of FFPE tissue block
Sources: Normally sterile or deep tissues such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Sterile container for each individual cut section (scroll)
Collection Instructions: Perform microtomy and prepare five separate 10-micron sections. Each section (scroll) must be placed in a separate sterile container for submission.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Specimen Type: Fluid
Sources: Normally sterile body fluids such as cerebrospinal, vitreous humor, pleural, abdominal, peritoneal, ascites, pericardial, pelvic
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh fluid specimen.
2. Freeze specimen.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days(preferred)/Refrigerated <14 days
Specimen Type: Synovial fluid
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top or sterile container
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), pink top (EDTA), royal blue top (EDTA), or sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube (preferred).
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days (preferred)/ Refrigerated <14 days
Preferred Specimen Type:
Specimen Type: Fresh tissue or biopsy
Sources: Normally sterile tissue such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: Entire collection or 5 mm(3)-approximately the size of a pencil eraser
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh tissue specimen.
2. Submit tissue only, do not add fluid to tissue.
3. Freeze specimen.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days (preferred)/Refrigerated <14 days
Alternate Specimen Type:
Preferred: Paraffin-embedded tissue block:
Supplies: Tissue Block Container (T553)
Specimen Type: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block
Sources: Normally sterile or deep tissues such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Tissue block
Collection Instructions: Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue block to be cut and returned.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Acceptable: Paraffin-embedded tissue block:
Specimen Type: Section (scrolls) of FFPE tissue block
Sources: Normally sterile or deep tissues such as bone, lymph node, joint, heart valve, brain, viscera, organ, lung
Container/Tube: Sterile container for each individual cut section (scroll)
Collection Instructions: Perform microtomy and prepare five separate 10-micron sections. Each section (scroll) must be placed in a separate sterile container for submission.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/Refrigerated
Specimen Type: Fluid
Sources: Normally sterile body fluids such as cerebrospinal, vitreous humor, pleural, abdominal, peritoneal, ascites, pericardial, pelvic
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh fluid specimen.
2. Freeze specimen.
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days(preferred)/Refrigerated <14 days
Specimen Type: Synovial fluid
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top or sterile container
Acceptable: Lavender top (EDTA), pink top (EDTA), royal blue top (EDTA), or sterile vial containing EDTA-derived aliquot
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Send specimen in original tube (preferred).
Specimen Stability Information: Frozen <14 days (preferred)/ Refrigerated <14 days
Transport Temperature
See individual types
Specimen Stability
See individual types
Setup Schedule
Monday through Friday
Report Available
14 to 28 days
Reference Range
No bacterial DNA detected
Clinical Significance
Cultures from patients with suspected bacterial infection involving normally sterile sites may fail to provide bacterial (including mycobacterial) growth for identification due to the presence of fastidious or slow-growing bacteria or as a result of antecedent antimicrobial chemotherapy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of a portion of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene followed by sequencing of the amplified product can be used to detect bacterial (including mycobacterial) nucleic acids in such situations, enabling a diagnosis. Sterile sources accepted for testing may have more than one bacterial species present or the presence of copy variants of the 16S rRNA gene within a single bacterial species, confounding Sanger sequencing analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can be useful in such cases. Ideal specimens are those in which bacteria (includes mycobacteria) are visualized by microscopy. Heart valves from patients with endocarditis with positive Gram stains are, for example, especially suitable.
Performing Laboratory
MAYO Clinic Laboratories-Rochester vis Quest
Last Updated: August 26, 2021
