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HelpTest Code LAB7329 Meningitis Encephalitis Panel
Aliases
MEP
MEP Panel
Performing Section
Microbiology
Specimen Type
CSF:
CSF Tube
Sterile screw capped container
Specimen Volume
Preferred: 0.5 mL
Minimum: 0.25 mL
Processing Instructions
Send at room temp, if ordering with bacterial culture, and send via courier promptly. If shipment is delayed over 24 hours, please refrigerate.
TAT
3 Hours
CPT
87483
Special Collection Notes
Collect specimen aseptically according to hospital protocol.
Additional Notes
*Unacceptable specimens:
Shunt fluid or previously CENTRIFUGED CSF
*Additional information:
Meningitis Encephalitis Panel (MEP) LAB7329 is approved for testing if concerns for:
·HSV and/or enterovirus in infants < 2 months
·Encephalitis/encephalopathy
·CNS infection of immunocompromised patient
·Or approval by Infectious Disease or Neurology provider
If your patient does not meet one of the above criteria, please use LAB1456, Body Fluid Cell Count and Differential (with Conditional MEP)
Method
Biofire
Purpose/Principle
The BioFire FilmArray® Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (MEP) is a qualitative, multiplexed nucleic acid based in vitro diagnostic test intended for use with BioFire FilmArray® systems. The FilmArray® MEP tests for a comprehensive set of 14 bacterial, viral, and yeast pathogens directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens obtained via lumbar puncture from individuals with signs and/or symptoms of meningitis and/or encephalitis. The assay detects Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus, Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), Human parechovirus (HPeV), Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Enterovirus, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Herpes simplex virus type 2, and Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii.
Temperature
Ambient/Refrigerated
Store and send on wet ice via courier. Testing can be performed up to 7 days after collection, if refrigerated.
Sample Stability
Refrigerated:7 days
Test/Batch Schedule
Monday – Sunday
Test Components
Listeria Monocytogenes
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Cytomegalovirus
Enterovirus
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 2
Human Parechovirus
Varicella Zoster Virus
Cryptococcus Neoformans/Gattii
Haemophilus Influenzae
Neisseria Meningitidis
Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B)
Escherichia Coli K1
Result for MEP
Reference Range
Listeria MonocytogenesNot Detected
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Not Detected
Cytomegalovirus
Not Detected
Enterovirus
Not Detected
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1
Not Detected
Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 2
Not Detected
Human Herpesvirus 6
No HHV6 Detected
Human Parechovirus
Not Detected
Varicella Zoster Virus
Not Detected
Cryptococcus Neoformans/Gattii
Not Detected
Haemophilus Influenzae
Not Detected
Neisseria Meningitidis
Not Detected
Streptococcus Agalactiae (Group B)
Not Detected
Escherichia Coli K1
Not Detected
Result for MEP
No Organisms Detected