Metagenomic testing for your patients.
UCSF offers mNGS as a clinical test available from cerebrospinal fluid for patients with undiagnosed meningitis and/or encephalitis of unknown etiology and from plasma for undiagnosed sepsis and/or disseminated infection.
Order Test
Here are the steps to order a test:
- Refer to your lab director to ensure your institution has an established account. See Set Up Account.
- We are now transitioning our ordering system to the web portal UCSF AtlasTM MD. For established accounts and new accounts, please contact us through the form (in the sidebar) and we will give you instructions on using the new portal.
Specimen Requirements
Testing is currently available on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma.
Please send CSF or plasma in a sterile tube:
- Plasma: EDTA whole blood (lavender or pearl top) must be centrifuged and plasma separated from red cells within 6 hours of collection
- CSF: Should be unspun
- Minimum volume 1 mL (preferred 2 mL)
- Aliquot (if necessary) only under sterile conditions
- Freeze at -70C (-20C is acceptable) within 5 days of collection (recommended within 24 hours)
For further information, see Lab Manual
Shipping
Ship sample on dry ice via overnight delivery together with the requisition form.
Results Availability
Results are available 1-2 weeks after specimen receipt. Reports are faxed to your lab as soon as they are available. Please contact your lab for results.
Request Consultation
UCSF Laboratory Medicine providers offer consultations and interpretation of results for tested samples through the Clinical Microbial Sequencing Board. To request a consultation on a tested or pending sample, please fill out the contact form.
Diagnostic Limitations
Samples containing significant pleocytosis and/or high levels of host nucleic acid may have reduced sensitivity of detection for viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Extended storage at 4°C and multiple freeze-thaw cycles may reduce the ability to detect pathogens, especially for RNA viruses.
Detection of organisms is based on the presence of detectable nucleic acid; some microorganism types that are present transiently or at very low levels may be better diagnosed through antibody testing.
Future Diagnostics
Testing on other sample types will be available in the near future. Learn about Our Research.
