Serotyping Neisseria meningitidis

Laboratory Fee Schedule
Procedure #:  MAA0013A
CPT: 87147

Synonym(s):Meningitis serotyping
Requisition FormG-2B
Test DescriptionSerotyping of invasive Neisseria meningitidis from sterile sites or purpuric lesions
Pre-Approval NeededN/A
Supplemental Information RequiredN/A
Supplemental Form(s)N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)Human
Sample/Specimen Type for TestingPure isolate
Minimum Volume/Size RequiredAt least one viable colony
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping

Slants: Inoculate cultures on chocolate agar slants and incubate overnight at @ 35-37oC in a 5% CO2 atmosphere.  Store at ambient temperature.

Frozen stocks:  Collect the isolate’s overnight growth from the agar plate with a sterile swab and resuspend bacteria in an appropriate freezer medium (such as TSB with 15% glycerol or defibrinated sheep blood).
 

Transport MediumAppropriate solid medium that supports growth of Neisseria meningitidis
Specimen Labeling
  • At least two patient identifiers are required on specimen (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number). 
  • Three patient identifiers are preferred. 
  • Patient identifiers on specimen label must exactly match identifiers on submission form. (e.g., abbreviated name on label and full name on form is not acceptable.)
  • Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines available online here.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
  • Ship specimens overnight at room temperature Monday-Thursday to avoid weekend deliveries. 
  • Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulation, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
  • Category B Biological Substance, UN3373 shipping requirements apply.
  • Slants: Ship at ambient temperature.  
  • Frozen Stocks: Ship on dry ice. 
  • Handle as infectious agent using universal precautions. 
  • Triple-contain in accordance with federal shipping regulations. 
  • Submitters are responsible for packaging and shipping specimens according to regulatory requirements. 
  • Laboratory does not supply collection kits or shipping materials.
  • Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines online here. 
MethodConventional serotyping
Turn-around Time3-10 days
Interferences/Limitations
  • Specimen must be a viable pure isolate for testing. 
  • Improper storage or shipping temperatures limit organism recovery.
Common Causes for Rejection•    Unacceptable specimen type or source
•    Mismatch(es) between patient identifiers on G-2B submission form and specimen label.
•    Mixed culture/contamination
•    Improper /storage shipping conditions
•    Expired media
•    Missing/incomplete/illegible submission form
Additional InformationIsolates from sterile sites or purpuric lesions are required to be submitted per Texas Administrative code (RAC) chapter 97:  §97.3(a)(4), §97.4(a)(6), and §97.5(a)(2)(C) Notifiable Conditions | Texas DSHS