ME Panel (ID/Neuro only)
FOR PATIENTS WHO EXHIBIT SYMPTOMS OF MENINGITIS/ENCEPHALITIS ONLY
Includes
Bacteria:
• Escherichia coli K1
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Listeria monocytogenes
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Streptococcus agalactiae
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
Viruses:
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
• Enterovirus (EV)
• Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)
• Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2)
• Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6)
• Human parechovirus (HPeV)
• Varicella zoster virus (VZV)
Yeast:
• Cryptococcus (C. neoformans/C. gattii)
| Test ID |
LAB211230 |
| EPIC ORDER |
ME PANEL (ID/NEURO ONLY) |
| CPT Code(s) |
87483 |
| Group/Individual Test |
Group |
| Laboratory |
Molecular Microbiology; 984-974-1820 |
| Tube Station |
82 |
| Specimen |
Routine: |
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
NOTE: This test is not intended for use with CSF collected from indwelling medical devices
|
| Availability |
Routine: |
24/7 |
| STAT: |
N/A |
| Turnaround Time |
3 hours (Monday-Friday) from receipt in laboratory, run once per day on weekends |
| Reference Range |
Normal: |
Not detected |
| Comments |
|
The ME panel is recommended in the following clinical scenarios:
CSF from lumbar puncture (LP) with:
- WBC >10 cells/mm3 or protein >50mg/dL or glucose <40 mg/dL
AND one of the following:
- Pediatric patients < 90 days old
OR
- Patients who received antimicrobials prior to LP and bacterial meningitis suspected
For all other cases, the test requires infectious diseases or neurology consult/approval.
|
False negative results for Cryptococcus have been described with the ME panel. Additional testing by Cryptococcal Antigen test (LAB6011) is recommended if clinically relevant.
False negative results for HSV have been described with the ME panel. If additional HSV testing is needed, order LAB917.
Full test limitations can be reviewed here:
https://www.uncmedicalcenter.org/mclendon-clinical-laboratories/available-tests/limitations-mepanel/
Test performed using the FDA-cleared BioFire Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel. Performance characteristics have been established and verified by the Clinical Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, UNC Medical Center. Positive results for L. monocytogenes, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae must be reported by both the physician and laboratory to the NC Division of the Public Health.
|
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