Bacterial meningitis PCR

Alternate test name

Multiplex PCR bacterial meningitis, partially treated meningitis, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus), Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes,

Gene name / Alternate gene name

Proprietary

Lab area

Microbiology - Molecular

Method and equipment

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Expected turn-around time

8 days

Specimen type

Specimen requirements

minimum 300 ul of CSF. Please ensure adequate sample volume is submitted.
send in sterile screw top tube/container.

Storage and transportation

All specimens must be shipped on dry ice
Exception: Specimens that will arrive at SickKids within 24 hours from the time of collection can be shipped on ice packs

Special requirements

Laboratory Requirements for Testing:

CSF pleocytosis (>=50 x 10^6/L WBC)
CSF bacterial culture negative at 48 hours

Organisms Tested:

Neisseria meningitidis,
Streptococcus pneumoniae,
Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus),
Haemophilus influenzae,
Listeria monocytogenes.

Please note that this assay does not test for Escherichia coli (E. coli), an important cause of bacterial meningitis in the neonatal population.

Requisition

Bacterial meningitis PCR - requisition

Disease condition