Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel, PCR, CSF

38799

Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, Enterovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Human Herpesvirus 6, Human parechovirus, Varicella Zoster Virus, Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii

1 mL CSF collected in a sterile, plastic, screw-cap container

0.3 mL

Collection CSF specimens should be collected via lumbar puncture and should not be centrifuged. This test is not intended for use with CSF collected from indwelling medical devices (e.g. CSF Shunts).

Refrigerated (cold packs)

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

CSF Collected from indwelling medical devices (e.g. CSF Shunts)

Set up: Daily; Report available: 2 days

See Laboratory Report

The Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is an FDA approved qualitative multiplex nucleic acid-based test that detects and identifies bacterial, viral and yeast DNA/RNA directly from a single aliquot of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in about one hour. ME panel is an aid for the diagnosis of specific agents of meningitis and/or encephalitis and results are meant to be used in conjunction with other clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory data including standard of care, culture for organism recovery, serotyping, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The results are not intended to be used as the sole basis for diagnosis, treatment, or other patient management decisions. The following organisms are identified: Bacteria: Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae Viruses: Cytomegalovirus, Enterovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus 1, Herpes Simplex Virus 2, Human Herpesvirus 6, Human parechovirus, Varicella Zoster Virus. Yeast: Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii