Evaluation of the accuracy of multiplex polymerase chain reaction in differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis

Faculty of Medicine

Assiut University

Evaluation of the accuracy of multiplex polymerase chain reaction in differentiation between bacterial and viral meningitis

Research Authors
Mahmoud Abdelfattah Ahmed1 · Gamal A. Askar1 · Hekma S. Farghaly1 · Asmaa O. Ahmed2 · Dalia T. Kamal2 · Shorook S. Ahmed3 · Ismail L. Mohamad1
Research Date
Research Department
Department of Clinical Pathology
Research Member
Dalia Tarik Kamal
Jamal Ai Abdel-Aal Askar
Mahmoud Abdel-Fattah Ahmed Hasan
Hekma Saad Farghaly Othman
Ismail Lotfy Mohamad Ibrahim
Research Abstract

Background

Meningitis is one of the most dangerous infection affecting children. The need for rapid and accurate diagnosis is mandatory for improving the outcome.

Aim of the work

To evaluate the role of multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in diagnosis of meningitis either bacterial or viral and to detect its accuracy.

Patients and methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in University Children Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, between November 2019 and September 2020. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Board of Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, and informed written consent was obtained. The committee’s reference number is 17200161. Clinicaltrails.gov ID: NCT03387969. Forty-eight children aged 2 to 18 years with meningitis were included. Detailed history and examination, blood glucose level at time of admission prior to lumbar puncture, and multiplex PCR in cerebrospinal fluid …