Neisseria meningitidis – Real-time PCR

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

Background
This page provides molecular testing information for Neisseria meningitidis at Public Health Ontario (PHO).

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 10 June 2025.

Testing Indications

This test is offered under the following conditions:

When the clinical picture is consistent with a diagnosis of invasive meningococcal disease.
When the submitting laboratory is unable to culture N. meningitidis after 24-48 hours incubation and meningococcal disease is still suspected (e.g., due to use of antibiotics prior to obtaining a specimen from the patient)

Acceptance/Rejection Criteria

Non-sterile site specimens are not acceptable for testing and will be rejected.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested	Required Requisition(s)	Specimen Type	Minimum Volume	Collection Kit
Neisseria meningitidis PCR	General Test Requisition	CSF	300 μl	Virus – Enteric Kit order#: 390087
Neisseria meningitidis PCR	General Test Requisition	Whole blood or plasma in EDTA	500 μl	ETDA tube

Submission and Collection Notes

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or delay in testing.

Limitations

Haemolysed, icteric, lipemic or microbially contaminated plasma is not recommended for testing.

Storage and Transport

Place specimen in biohazard bag and seal. Specimens should be stored at 2-8°C following collection and shipped to PHO on ice packs.

If transport of specimen to testing laboratory will be delayed more than 72 hours, specimens should be frozen and shipped on dry ice.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

The Neisseria meningitidis – RT-PCR test is performed as needed Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 3 business days from receipt at PHO.

STAT and Critical Samples Testing

Testing on weekends and/or holidays may be performed under special circumstances. Contact PHO Laboratory’s Customer Service Centre at 416-235-6556/1-877-604-4567 or After-Hours Emergency Duty Officer at 416-605-3113 for consultation.

Test Methods

Neisseria meningitidis specimen nucleic acids are tested using a Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of a Neisseria meningitidis carbohydrate transporter (ctrA) and capsular biosynthesis genes for serogroups A, B, C, W, X and Y.

The sensitivity of the Real-time PCR test is higher than conventional culture.

Testing for presence of inhibitory substances within the PCR reaction are not done.

Interpretation

Result	Interpretation	Comments
All targets Not Detected	Neisseria meningitidis DNA by real time PCR Not Detected	Negative results do not exclude the presence of this bacteria.
ctrA target and one of serogroup targets (A, B, C, W, X and Y) Detected	Neisseria meningitidis DNA by real time PCR Detected, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup (A, B, C, W Y or X)
ctrA target and two or more serogroup targets (A, B, C, W, X and Y) Detected	Neisseria meningitidis DNA by real time PCR Detected, Unable to determine serogroup	Sample will be sent to NML for further testing.
ctrA target Not Detected and two or more serogroup targets (A, B, C, W, X and Y) Detected	Neisseria meningitidis DNA by real time PCR Detected, Unable to determine serogroup	Sample will be sent to NML for further testing.
Invalid	Neisseria meningitidis DNA by real time PCR INVALID	Test results are INVALID due to the failed amplification of the extraction control. Amplification failure may be due to inadequate specimen content, extraction failure, or PCR inhibition. Please submit additional specimen(s) for testing if clinically indicated.

Reporting

Results are reported to the physician, authorized health care provider (General O. Reg 45/22, s.18) or submitter as indicated on the requisition.

Positive specimens are reported to the Medical Officer of Health as per the Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Act.

*Uncontrolled print copy. Valid only on day of print: 10 June 2025.

Contact Laboratory Customer Service

Microbiology and Laboratory Services

customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

Updated 28 May 2025