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Test Code MEP Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel - CSF

Specimen Type

Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Collection Volume

0.5 mL (500 uL)

Minimum Collection Volume

0.25 mL (250 ul)

Testing Volume

0.20 mL (200 ul)

Rejection Criteria

Centrifuged CSF; Ambient >24 hours; Refrigerated >7 days; Specimens collected from indwelling CNS device; Unlabeled or mislableled

Specimen Storage and Stability

Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 7 days

Day(s) and Time(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday, 24 hours

Alias

Panel Includes: BACTERIA: Escherichia coli K1; Haemophilus influenzae; Listeria monocytogenes; Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated); Streptococcus agalactiae; Streptococcus pneumoniae
VIRUSES: Cytomegalovirus (CMV); Enterovirus; Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1; Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2; Human herpesvirus 6; Human parechovirus; Varicella zoster (VZ) virus
YEAST: Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii

CPT

87798 x9; 87653; 87496; 87532; 87529

Ordering Info

This panel will be performed for Herpes Simplex (HSV) PCR and Enterovirus PCR requests on CSF. This panel is to be used ONLY in patients with signs and symtoms suggestive of meningitis and/or encephalitis. In cases of suspected bacterial infection, culture should still be ordered to assess for false positives/false negatives, to recover bacterial isolates for susceptibility and to identify less common agents of bacterial meningitis. Escherichia coli K1; Haemophilus influenzae; Listeria monocytogenes; Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated); Streptococcus agalactiae; Streptococcus pneumoniae;
Cytomegalovirus (CMV); Enterovirus; Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1; Herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2; Human herpesvirus 6; Human parechovirus; Varicella zoster (VZ) virus;

EPIC Code

LAB3034A

Methodology

BioFire FilmArray

Acceptable Collection Container

CSF

Transport

Ambient

STAT Availability

Yes

Turn Around Time

3 hours

Lab Department

Microbiology