Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis
نویسندگان
1 Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
2 Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
4 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
5 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
6 Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
doi
10.61186/iem.9.3.219چکیده
Background: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of standard culture method with multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in examining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from patients with suspected meningitis. Materials & Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 166 patients with suspected meningitis, who were treated in Vali-Asr hospital in Birjand, Iran between 2011 and 2020. Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was based on CSF culture and multiplex qPCR results. Findings: Among 166 patients, conventional methods identified causative pathogens in only 10.3% of cases, while multiplex qPCR detected pathogens in eight out of 25 culture-negative cases as well. The most common pathogens identified were enterovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Conclusion: Multiplex qPCR appears to be a more effective method than conventional culture in identifying bacterial and viral pathogens that most commonly cause meningitis. The incorporation of qPCR as a routine diagnostic method for meningitis in clinical practice could significantly enhance clinical decision-making and patient care.
