24 hours
Qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction
Accredited NRL Laboratory
Daily
Use to rapidly detect a panel of common viruses, bacteria, and fungi associated with meningitis and encephalitis. Do NOT use as a replacement for CSF bacterial and/or fungal culture and Cryptococcal antigen testing for at-risk patients. A negative result does not exclude a diagnosis of meningitis or encephalitis due to infection.
CSF
0.5 mL
Standard Transport Tube
No special preparation is required for this test. You may eat, drink, and take your medications as normal, unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
This test does not require any special collection or pre-analytical handling. Follow routine specimen collection protocols.
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 7 days |