Description

In-House Providers: Infectious disease and/or pathology consult is required for all specimens submitted except for BALs submitted for R/O legionella. For in-house patients, a bacterial culture of the same sample must be submitted and confirmed as No Growth before the PCR testing will proceed (24 hours for CSF, 48 hours for all other samples). If bacterial culture is positive, PCR is cancelled by the Microbiology Lab. Consult with the Microbiology Director if PCR testing is still necessary.

If a particular pathogen is suspected, this information should be included in the Ordering comments.

External / Non-Children's Ordering Providers: Must consult the Microbiology Director prior to sending any sample to Children's Microbiology Laboratory for PCR testing. 

CSF can be submitted for detection of bacteria by molecular methods. CSF samples from patients with presumed bacterial meningitis who have been previously treated and are not responding to therapy can be tested by PCR upon Infectious Disease approval. The absence of such consult will lead to delayed testing.

Tissue collected by surgical excision, normally sterile fluid, or abscess drainage material (when collected under sterile conditions) can be submitted for detection of bacteria by molecular methods. Non-sterile sites are not appropriate.

BALs can be submitted for rule out Legionella only. Requests to rule out Legionella do not require Microbiology Director / Infectious Disease Team approval.

Note:  Molecular testing to R/O M. tuberculosis from direct patient material is no longer being performed at SCH.  For R/O MTB from respiratory sources, see TBPCRresp rapid.  For R/O MTB from non-respiratory sources, see TBPCRnonresp.