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
Specimen Labeling
  • Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number
  • Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
  • Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulation, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
  • Slants: Ship at ambient temperature.
  • Frozen Stocks: Ship on dry ice. 
MethodConventional serotyping
Turn-around Time3-10 days
Interferences/Limitations
  • Material must be viable.
  • Improper storage or shipping temperatures limit organism recovery.
Common Causes for Rejection
  • Insufficient quantity
  • Unacceptable specimen type or source
  • Improper shipping conditions
  • Expired media or collection container
  • Discrepancies between specimen label and submission form
  • Incomplete or missing 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