Microbiology
CSF Virology
Specimen
CSF
Specimen container
White top universal
Test Usage
- Diagnosis of Viral encephalitis / Meningitis
- Please state which condition you suspect when sending request.
- Please state if patient is immunocompromised as additional testing may be indicated
- Tests undertaken routinely on these samples are:
- HSV (Herpes simplex) 1 & 2
- VZV (Varicella zoster)
- Enterovirus
- Parechovirus
- All tests are molecular (PCR assays)
Availability
Local test
Processing Time
2 – 3 days
Urgent Specimen Instructions
All positives will be phoned to requesting clinician as soon as possible
