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Test Code LAB3753 Bacterial DNA detection by PCR

Clinical System Name

Bacterial DNA detection by PCR

Synonyms

16S sequencing, bacteria 16S, bacteria identification, Bacteria PCR, bacteria sequencing, bacterial 16S, bacterial identification, Bacterial PCR, bacterial sequencing, broad range bacteria PCR, broad range bacterial PCR, molecular bacteria, molecular bacterial, Synonyms: 16S PCR, universal bacteria PCR, universal bacterial PCR

 

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Tissue, Normally Sterile Fluid, BAL, Abscess Material, CSF

Also accepted: E-swabs and UTM (Universal Transport medium); Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET); non-blood body fluids collected in Vacutainer tubes without preservative; LAVENDER top (EDTA) tube.

 

Container: Sterile Container

Preferred Vol: 1.0 mL or Grams

Minimum Vol: Diagnostic yield generally proportional to specimen size.

 

Unacceptable specimens:  Tissues free-floating in formalin; samples containing citrate, or heparin; Blood/Serum specimens; swab/fluid collected in tube containing agar

Processing Instructions

CPA: Forward all specimens to Microbiology for processing.

 

Microbiology: Keep frozen at -20C and handoff specimen to Send Outs (or CPA after hours). This is a batched test through MayoACCESS and does not require a manual requisition.

 

Send Outs: Send out Monday - Friday with the UW courier unless SCH Microbiology has indicated STAT testing. If STAT testing is indicated, send DIRECT to UW NW220 via Delivery Express courier. AFTER HOURS/WEEKENDS: Batch order to UW or send with manual requisition via DLX courier to NW220.

Stability

On-Site Collection
Temp Time
Room temp Unacceptable
Refrigerated Unacceptable
Frozen Indefinite

Availability

Preliminary results in 2 to 4 days. Testing initiated upon receipt of specimen at UWMC Microbiology Molecular Diagnostics, Monday through Friday.

 

STAT Performed TAT
N M - F 2 - 4 d

Performing Laboratory

University of Washington Medical Center

Department of Laboratory Medicine

Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

1959 NE Pacific Street, Room NW120

Seattle, WA 98195

 

Phone Number:

  • Microbiology Lab - (206) 598-6147
  • UW Client Support Services (CSS) - (206) 520-4600

Department

Departments:

  • Microbiology - (206) 987-2585
  • Send Outs - (206) 987-2563

CPT Codes

87801

Send Out Instructions

Reference Test Name: Bacterial DNA Detection by PCR
Reference Lab Test Code: BCTDNA
Instructions:

Send out Monday through Friday with the UW courier unless SCH Microbiology has indicated STAT testing. If STAT testing is indicated, send DIRECT to UW NW220 via Delivery Express courier.

 

Note: After hours and on weekends, all samples must be sent via Delivery Express to UW NW220.

 

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.