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Order Code LABCSFME Cerebrospinal Fluid Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel

Important Note

The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel tests cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by molecular PCR detection for a variety of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and fungi directly from CSF specimens obtained via lumbar puncture from individuals with signs and/or symptoms of meningitis and/or encephalitis

Specimen Requirements

 1.0 mL CSF collected by lumbar puncture in standard CSF screw cap tube. 

Maintain sterility and forward promptly to the laboratory.

Label specimen with patient's name, date of birth, or hospital medical record number, specimen source, date and time of collection, and collector's initials.

Reference Values

No Pathogen detected.

 

 

This panel detects 14 pathogens. See below:

 

Bacteria:

 Viruses: Fungi:
Escherichia coli K1 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii
Haemophilus influenzae Enterovirus  
Listeria monocytogenes Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)  
Neisseria meningitidis Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)  
Streptococcus agalactiae Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)  
Streptococcus pneumoniae Human parechovirus  
  Varicella zoster virus (VZV)  

 

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday thru Sunday

Performing Laboratory

Ridgeview Medical Center

Methodology

Multiplexed nucleic acid PCR

Specimen Transport Temperature

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
CSF Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated (preferred)   7 days

 

Limitations/Considerations

The Film Array panel must be used in conjunction with standard CSF chemistry tests, cell count with differential, and culture for organism recovery and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.  This test is highly sensitive and negates the need for duplicate testing.

 

  • This test does NOT detect all possible bacterial organisms.
  • This test does NOT detect TB or other mycobacteria.
  • This test does NOT detect non-K1 strain of E.coli.
  • This test does NOT detect non-encapsulated strains of Neisseria meningitidis.
  • This test does NOT detect West Nile virus and other arboviruses.
  • This test does NOT distinguish latent from active CMV or HHV-6 infections. Detection of these viruses may indicate primary infection, seconadary reactivation, or the presence of latent virus.
  • A negative FilmArray panel does not exclude the possibility of CNS infection and should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis, treatment, or other management decisions.
  • Results should always be interpreted in conjunction with other clinical, laboratory and epidemiological information.