Biofire Meningitis Encephalitis (ME) Advantage Test Cost & Procedure

In addition to the Film Array, the Biofire ME advantage panel expands the breadth of the test by detecting tuberculosis using TB LAMP. A nucleic acid-based qualitative multiplexed in vitro diagnostic test called the Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel is designed for use with FilmArray systems. Directly from cerebrospinal fluid, the FilmArray ME Panel can simultaneously detect and identify a variety of bacterial, viral, and yeast nucleic acids.

What is meningitis?

Meninges are the term for these membranes.

Meningitis-related inflammation frequently results in symptoms like headache, fever, and stiff neck.

Infection with a virus is the leading cause of meningitis in the US. Yet it can also be brought on by fungi, bacteria, and parasites. In a few weeks, some meningitis cases get better on their own. Others may result in mortality and demand immediate antibiotic therapy.

Symptoms:

The flu-like symptoms of early meningitis could exist. The onset of symptoms can take several hours or several days.

Anybody older than two years old may have any or all of the following symptoms:

• acutely high fever
• rigid neck
• a terrible headache
• sickness or vomiting
• confusion or difficulty focusing.
• Seizures
• Drowsiness or difficulty waking up.
• No thirst or appetite.
• In some situations, such as meningococcal meningitis, there may be a skin rash.

Signs in infants

Infants and newborns may exhibit these symptoms:

• Fever, continual crying, being extremely sleepy or agitated.
• Obtaining out of bed.
• Being passive or lame.
• Not getting up to eat.

Poor nutrition.

• Vomiting.
• A protrusion in the baby's head's soft area.
• Rigidity in the neck and body.

Causes:

Viral infections most frequently cause meningitis. Bacterial infections and, in rare cases, fungal and parasitic illnesses come next. Finding the reason is critical since bacterial infections can be fatal.

Why is this examination suggested?

• An FDA-approved syndromic test called the BioFire ME Panel focuses on 14 of the most prevalent bacterial, viral, and fungal causes of central nervous system infections.
• Accurate results can be obtained with just one tiny sample of 0.2 mL cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in about an hour.

What transpires throughout the test?

• The fire ME panel test is the first comprehensive system test that can identify the 14 most prevalent pathogens—including viruses, bacteria, and yeast—that cause meningitis and encephalitis. Meningoencephalitis can be diagnosed quickly and cheaply.
• Within an hour, the test results are available.
• Meningoencephalitis symptoms appear extremely unexpectedly and might get worse very quickly.
• Although the patient does not need to provide fluid or a specimen to run many tests, this test simplifies the diagnosis.