Bacterial PCR reflex NGS

General Information

Lab Name

Bacterial PCR reflex NGS

Lab Code

BCTDNA

Epic Name

Bacterial DNA detection by PCR

Description

Detection and identification of Bacterial DNA (16S rRNA target).

Accurate identification of bacterial isolates is an essential task of the clinical microbiology laboratory that enables initiation of proper antimicrobial therapy. For many organisms, traditional phenotypic identification may be difficult, laborious and time-consuming. This issue is further confounded by phenotypic variation within species, many newly described pathogenic species and the limited battery of phenotypic tests available to distinguish among established and potential bacterial pathogens. It is sometimes essential to identify bacterial isolates to species level in order to rule out species that are drug resistant or more pathogenic, to detect unsuspected pathogens, ascribe pathogenicity to species so far considered to be nonpathogenic and to identify new bacterial species.

With more than 20,000 sequences available in public databases (e.g. NCBI), 16S ribosomal RNA gene (rRNA) sequencing is considered by current taxonomists to be the gold standard in bacterial identification and classification. 16S rRNA gene contains conserved regions useful for the design of broad-range PCR primers that can amplify various fragments of the 16S rRNA gene from pathogenic and nonpathogenic bacteria. These fragments include hypervariable regions containing species-specific signature sequences useful for bacterial identification to species level.

In many specimens bacteria can be seen by microscopy of tissue sections but are very difficult to grow due to their fastidious nature, or are not viable as a result of antimicrobial therapy. Some specimens may never reveal the presence of a bacterial pathogen because of low abundance and/or lack of viability. The use of PCR to detect this DNA extracted directly from clinical specimens facilitates the identification of these pathogens.

Reflexive testing

When suspected pathogenic microorganisms are detected, identification procedures are performed, as appropriate for the organism and specimen, including evaluation of polymicrobial specimens using Next Generation Sequencing.

Synonyms

16S PCR, 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

Components

Code Name
BT16RS Bacterial PCR: Detection, 16S rDNA
BT16ID Bacterial PCR: Identification, 16S rDNA
BTSI Bacterial PCR: Specimen Description
BTSPI Bacterial PCR: External Identifier
BTSR Bacterial PCR: Special Requests
BTSC Bacterial PCR: Specimen Comments
BTNAE Bacterial PCR: Specimen DNA Extraction
BTREV Bacterial PCR: Pathologist Review
BTME Bacterial PCR: Method Note

Interpretation

Method

DNA extraction, nucleic acid purification, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequencing

Reference Range

See individual components

Guidelines

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type

Tissue (Fresh frozen or paraffin-embedded), Fluid (see Acceptable Specimens for details)

Collection

Acceptable specimens are listed below. Please see Molecular Microbiology Specimen Submission for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.

Shipping/Handling

  • Fresh frozen tissue/fluid specimens should be collected into a DNA free container labeled with at least two identifiers and be submitted and maintained on dry ice.
  • Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE, PET) can be sent ambient or with ice packs during warmer summer months to prevent melting.

Acceptable Specimens

*Mycobacterium avium complex DNA Detection [MAVDNA] can be ordered on sputum

**Fungal PCR reflex NGS [FUNDNA] and Fungal DNA Detection by PCR (without reflex to NGS) [NRFDNA] may have interference due to some lots of eSwabs which have been found to contain Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA, resulting in false positive detection. Clinical correlation and/or retesting with a different collection method is advised. The detection of S. cerevisiae from eSwab specimens can interfere with our ability to rule out other fungal DNA.

    Unacceptable Specimens

    • Blood, serum, plasma, stool/rectal swabs
    • No citrated or heparinized solutions
    • Tissues floating in formalin
    • Swab/fluid collected in tube containing agar

    Optimal Quantity:

    • Fresh Tissue: 0.3-1.0 cm^3
    • Fluid: 0.2-1 mL
    • Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded Tissue (FFPE/PET): blocks are preferred and will be sent back to client upon completion of testing
    • Scrolls/unstained slides: cross-sectional area >1cm^2 send 10 sections of 10µm thickness, if <1cm^2 send 20 sections if available

    Please note: We do not need a separate specimen aliquot for each test ordered. Only a single specimen aliquot or block of optimal quantity is necessary for performing multiple tests. If multiple aliquots or blocks of optimal quantity are sent, up to 2 will be pooled.

Forms & Requisitions

Molecular Microbiology Order Form

Handling Instructions

Please see Molecular Microbiology Specimen Submission for complete specimen collection and handling instructions.

Quantity

requested: See "Collection" for Optimal Quantity
minimum: Specimens below optimal quantity are acceptable for testing, however, diagnostic yield is generally proportional to specimen size.

Processing

UWMC/HMC: Store and send fresh tissue/fluid specimens refrigerated, if specimen storage and transport will exceed 8 hours, freeze at -20°C. Freeze all fresh tissue/fluid specimens at -20°C upon arrival in UW Molecular Microbiology.

Performance

LIS Dept Code

Micro Molecular Diag (MMD)

Performing Location(s)

UW-MT Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics
206-520-4600

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Shipping Address

Attn: Molecular Microbiology
UW CLSPS
1601 Lind Ave SW Room 117
Renton, WA 98057
Phone: 206-520-4600
Alternate phone: 206-598-6147

Performing Lab Address

Clinical Microbiology Lab, NW177
University of Washington Medical Center
1959 NE Pacific Street
Seattle, WA 98195
Phone: 206-598-5735
Alternate phone: 206-598-6147

Contact Information

Please e-mail us with any questions or comments you may have. Your inquiry will be answered as soon as possible.

email: molmicdx@uw.edu

The Molecular Microbiology lab is open from Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm PDT.

Billing inquiries and requests for faxed reports can be made to our Client Services Department at (206) 520-4600 or (800) 713-5198.

For results or other inquiries, we can be reached by phone at the following numbers:

  • Phone: (206) 598-5735
  • Alternate phone: (206) 598-6147
  • FAX: (206) 520-4903

For assistance during weekends, holidays and after hours, please contact Lab Medicine Resident at (206) 598-6190

Frequency

Fresh frozen tissues/fluids result in 2-3 business days after receipt of specimen. Formalin Fixed Paraffin-embedded tissues result in 3-4 business days after receipt of specimen.

Available STAT?

No

Billing & Coding

CPT codes

87801

LOINC

76575-0

Interfaced Order Code

UOW4294