POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOUS MENINGITIS

43 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens obtained from 20 children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) at varying times during the first month o f treatment were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the p resence of M. tuberculosis DNA. Overall 27 CSF specimens (63%) from 16 patients (80%) gave greater than or equal to 1 positive results and p ositive results were obtained from CSF specimens throughout the first 4 weeks of therapy. Nine CSF specimens (21%) gave a doubtful result (o nly 1 of duplicate determinations positive) and 7 (16%) a negative res ult. CSF from patients with suspected TBM should be submitted for PCR evaluation and positive results may be obtained up to at least 4 weeks after the start of treatment.