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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
MENINGITIS ENCEPHALITIS (ME) PANEL, CSF (PCR AND CULTURE) |
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Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB4276
Geisinger Epic ID: 178280
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SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) specimens. Lumbar Puncture only. | |
Preferred collection container: |
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Specimen required: |
1.0 ml CSF specimen in sterile collection tube. | |
Special notes: |
CSF specimens should be collected via lumbar puncture. This test is not intended for use with CSF collected from indwelling medical devices (e.g. CSF shunts). See Microbiology Collection Appendix for collection instructions. Check expiration date on transport device before use. | |
Patient preparation: |
Caution should be exercised during specimen collection to prevent contamination leading to false positive results. Some organisms detected, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, can be shed from the respiratory tract of healthy individuals | |
| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Specimen processing instructions: |
CSF specimen should not be centrifuged, diluted, or otherwise processed prior to testing. | |
Transport temperature: |
If specimen will arrive in less than 24 hours, transport at room temperature (15-25°C), If greater than 24 hours, transport refrigerated (2-8°C). | |
Specimen stability: |
At room temperature (15-25°C) for up to one day or refrigerated (approximately 2-8°C) for up to seven days. | |
Rejection criteria: |
Specimens stored or transported at incorrect temperatures. Frozen specimens. Improperly labeled/identified specimens. Quantity of specimen insufficient. Specimens which exceed stability limits. Improper specimen type. | |
TEST DETAILS |
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Reference interval: |
Negative for all analytes tested. | |
Interpretation guide: |
Some organisms detected, such as Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, can be shed from the respiratory tract of healthy individuals. 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 are not detected by this assay. Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii may be present, but may not be detected by this assay. Order CRYPTOCOCCAL ANTINGEN, CSF [LAB2108] if Cryptococcal meningitis is suspected. Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological information. | |
Critical values/courtesy alerts: |
Specific analyte RNA/DNA detected by PCR (Amplified Probe). | |
CPT code(s): |
87483 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Test includes: |
Molecular detection of analyte RNA/DNA from approved CSF specimens. This assay detects and identifies the following analytes: Bacteria: Escherichia coli K1 (non-K1 strains not detected), Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis (encapsulated strains only; non-encapsulated strains not detected), 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. | |
Methodology: |
Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) |
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Synonyms: |
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:, meningitis, encephalitis, multplex, PCR.
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Clinical significance: |
Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel, PCR, CSF - 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. | |
Doctoral Director(s:) |
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM), Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM) | |
| Review Date: | 12/31/2022 | |