PCR or Culture for Detection of Meningitis?

PCR assays of CSF samples showed higher sensitivity than did conventional culture, but the best sensitivity was achieved only when the two methods were combined.

Bacterial meningitis is life threatening and requires rapid initiation of appropriate therapy for optimal outcome. The causative organism is usually identified by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture. However, culture results may be false-negative if the causative organisms are fastidious or slow-growing or if antibiotic therapy was initiated before culture specimens were obtained. In a recent study involving 345 patients with suspected bacterial meningitis and CSF white blood cell (WBC) counts ≥10/µL, researchers investigated the value of performing both broad-range bacterial PCR and conventional cultures on CSF specimens.

Specimens from 25 patients were positive by both PCR and culture. Seven of these patients had received antibiotics before …

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection