Test Name
Bacterial Meningitis/Sepsis PCR for detection of
Neisseria meningitidis,
Haemophilus influenzae, and
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Test Methodology
Real-time PCR
Reflex Testing Criteria
Specimens positive for
Neisseria meningitidis will be tested for serogroup
Pre-Approval Required
No
Supplemental Information and Required Form(s)
Form PCR-VPP01 (PDF) "Bacterial Sepsis/Meningitis" from the drop-down menu on the MDL General Electronic Submission Form
The MDL General Electronic Submission Form should be downloaded and opened using a pdf viewer. To download, right-click the link and select "Save link as." If you are unable to open the Form using a pdf viewer, please contact MDL at 510-412-3700 or MDL.Submissions@CDPH.ca.gov.
Instructions on completing this form
Required Specimen Type(s)
Patient specimen from a normally sterile body site that has not yielded growth on bacterial culture.
Acceptable specimens include EDTA whole blood, blood culture bottle media, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or pleural fluid.
For CSF specimens, please indicate its WBC count, protein, and glucose levels.
Minimum Volume Required
0.5 ml
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: Not acceptable
Refrigerated (2 -8Ā°C): up to 21 days
Frozen (ā¤-20ĀŗC): up to one month
Rejection Criteria
- Specimens that have been stored at room temperature
- Specimens from a non-sterile body site
- Unlabeled or poorly labeled specimen container (see Specimen Labeling instructions)
- Specimens collected or shipped outside of specimen stability or shipping criteria
- Inadequate specimen volume
Storage/Transport Conditions
Refrigerated on cold packs or frozen on dry ice.
Transport Medium, if applicable
Not applicable
Specimen Labeling
Two identifiers, including patient full name, and at least one other identifier (specimen accession number, DOB, MRN); date and time of collection as noted for specific tests, if applicable.
Shipping Instructions and Specimen Handling Requirements
Ship refrigerated or frozen using appropriate DOT/IATA approved shipping procedures.
Ensure that specimens are sent in a container with a screw-top cap if not sending the original vacutainer tube or blood culture bottle; seal with parafilm or tape for additional protection against leaking.
Ship to:
California Department of Public Health
Microbial Diseases Laboratory
ATTN: Bacterial Diseases Section, Vaccine Preventable Pathogens
850 Marina Bay Parkway, Specimen Receiving Room B106
Richmond, CA 94804
Specimen Collection Instructions, if applicable
Not applicable
Turnaround Time
5 days
Interferences & Limitations
Specimen from a non-sterile site or that has a positive culture.
Reference Range
Not Applicable
Additional Information
None
MDL Point of Contact
For questions regarding submissions, please email
MDL.Submissions@cdph.ca.gov or MDL at 510-412-3700.