Neisseria meningitidis

TEST NAME Neisseria meningitidis (identification and grouping)
DISEASE/DISORDER meningitis, Meningococcal disease
ALTERNATE NAME(S) N. meningitidis ID
METHODOLOGY Culture
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

For laboratories, isolate submission is REQUIRED upon identification.
ORDERING INFORMATION Lab Web Portal

Specimen Requirements

Patient Preparation
  • None
Specimen Collection
  • Pure culture on chocolate agar/slant from normally sterile sites and/or clinical specimens such as CSF, whole blood, and serum in sterile screw-cap container.
Specimen Labeling
  • Specimen should be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers along with specimen source and match accompanying test order.
Specimen Processing
  • None
Specimen Storage and Preservation
  • Clinical Specimens

- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whole blood and serum should be refrigerated (2-8°C) after collection and frozen (-15°C or lower) within 96 hours.

  • Isolates

-Store in ambient conditions.
Specimen Transport
  • Ship clinical specimens (CSF, whole blood and serum) refrigerated (2-8°C). If specimen cannot be transported/tested within 96 hours of collection, ship frozen (-15°C or lower) on Dry Ice.
  • Ship isolates at ambient temperature. Do not send isolates refrigerated or frozen.
  • All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 
Specimen Acceptability and Rejection
  • Specimens that do not meet all specimen requirements will be rejected.
Testing Location
  • Nashville

This Page Last Updated: April 1, 2026 at 1:05 PM