Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (Biofire) - CSF Test

Meningitis/Encephalitis panel by Film Array (Biofire) is a PCR based test used to detect and diagnose 14 bacterial, viral and fungal infections in the CSF sample.

• This biofire panel test is useful in the diagnosis for suspected cases of meningitis/encephalitis.
• The test is done to also know the underlying reason causing meningitis (infective or sepsis)
• Test is also useful for differential diagnosis to rule out other CNS conditions.

Meningitis /Encephalitis can prove to be fatal if timely diagnosis and treatment is not provided. Patient with the following symptoms should immediately undergo testing:

• High fever usually following flu or some other infection.
• Severe neck stiffness
• Frequent headache along with sensitivity to light
• Nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
• Seizures
• Unexplained confusion or disorientation.

This test requires a CSF sample. A spinal needle is used and the patient's CSF sample is collected with the necessary aseptic precautions. Sample collection would have to be done by your doctor

Specimen Type, Site, Clinical History required.

Positive results to any of the agents is considered to be the cause of the disease. All results must be seen together with clinical symptoms of the patient.

Positive results do not rule out co-infection with other organisms not included in Film Array ME panel.

• Meningitis test
• Encephalitis test
• CSF test
• Film array CSF test