Microbiology

Preferred Sample Type

Biofire Filmarray Meningitis/Encephalitis panel

Suitable Specimen Types

CSF

Biofire Filmarray Meningitis/Encephalitis panel

Specimen Volume

Minimum volume 0.5mL (when only this test is required)

Specimen Transport

Please bring to the laboratory immediately. Not to be sent via SDS pod system.

Turnaround Time

24hrs (routine testing), and within 4 hours (urgent testing during core hours) from receipt in the laboratory

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Please notify the laboratory if urgent testing required outside of routine hours

Sample Stability

CSF samples should be stored at ambient room temperature.

General Information

Specimen volume and type:

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from:

  • Lumbar puncture
  • Lumbar drain
  • Shunts and Reservoirs

In suspected cases of meningitis or where urgent analysis is required; CSF should be sent immediately to the laboratory in a sterile universal container.

Notes

Where patients have been tested and found positive for HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV DNA in their CSF by Biofire; this patient should be repeat tested 14 or 21 days later to confirm clearance in line with clinical guidelines.

CSF samples should not be sent via the Sample Delivery System (SDS).

The following pathogens are identified utilising the BioFire Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel: Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Neisseria meningitides, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), Human parechovirus (HPeV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), Enterovirus (EV), Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans/gattii.

 

Neurosurgical patients: if Biofire is thought to be required, please discuss with Microbiology Consultant prior to requesting.

 

Information Sharing: If your sample needs to be referred or a notifiable disease is detected from your sample, your details and sample may be shared with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This is a legal requirement. The UKHSA is sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

 

Accreditation: This is new testing method which is not currently UKAS accredited. For further information, please contact the laboratory.

Specifications

  • EQA Status: Enrolled to Labquality Scheme
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Creation Date

Friday, 27 January 2023

Modification Date

Tuesday, 20 February 2024

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Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962