Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel
Label Mnemonic: MENPANEL
Epic code: LAB8514
Order form: Microbiology/Molecular Infectious Disease Requisition
Supply order: Supply Order Form
Billing: Billing Policies
CPT code: 87483
Specimen(s):
CSF, Lumbar puncture
Collection Medium:
CSF collection kit
Minimum:
Collect in CSF container. A minimum volume of 1 mL CSF required in addition to volume required for other tests run on the same specimen. Transport to Microbiology Laboratory immediately.

•Cryptococcus PCR lacks sensitivity and cannot fully rule out
 cryptococcal meningitis; Cryptococcus antigen (Epic LAB2233) may
 be ordered if rapid testing is desired.
•Enterovirus testing includes Coxsackievirus A/B, Echovirus, and
 Enterovirus, including EV-D68, EV-D70 and EV-D71. Bacterial culture,
 Gram stain and susceptibility testing are always performed with this order.
•Pretreatment may result in a PCR-positive, culture negative
 result.
•For interpretation of positive results, please see specific
 comments appended to individual patient reports.

*If inpatient, only one panel allowed per visit without prior
 approval. Please contact Microbiology Laboratory for approval.
Rejection Criteria:
CSF collected from indwelling medical devices are not acceptable, Aerobic culture (LAB4801) should be ordered for these specimen types.
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
6 hours (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
Not Detected
Comments:
The FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel is a multiplex PCR test capable of qualitatively detecting DNA or RNA of 14 pathogens (bacteria and viruses).

The panel is used to diagnose infection caused by Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Enterovirus (including Coxsackievirus A/B, Echovirus, and Enterovirus, including EV-D68, EV-D70 and EV-D71), Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), Herpes simples virus 2 (HSV-2), Human parechovirus, Varicella zoster virus, and Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii.
Methodology:
PCR amplification; FilmArray ME Panel
Instructions:
Specimens should be received same day of collection.
Sample Processing:
Label transport tube with two patient identifiers, date and time of collection.
Maintain sterility and forward promptly to lab.
Specimen should be collected and packaged as close to shipping time as possible.
Sample Storage:
Room Temperature.
Transport Instructions:
Place requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place specimen into zip-lock type bag, seal bag.
DO NOT FREEZE, protect specimen by wrapping in bubble-wrap or toweling.
Recommend early AM overnight shipping or equivalent if not on courier service.
CPT Code:
87483
Zcode:
ZB4JW