Detection of enteroviruses in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction: Prospective study of impact on the management of hospitalized children
Vm. Spicher et al., Detection of enteroviruses in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction: Prospective study of impact on the management of hospitalized children, CLIN PEDIAT, 39(4), 2000, pp. 203-208
A polymerase chain reaction kit (AMPLICOR EV(R)) for the detection of enter
oviruses (EV-PCR) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in clinica
l conditions in a prospective blinded-intention study Forty-three children
(mean age 2.7 years) hospitalized for suspected meningitis or fever of uncl
ear etiology were enrolled. EV-PCR was performed on a daily basis. Results
were available in less than 2 days in 72% of cases. EV-PCR wits positive in
nine (21%) children, including three infants without CSF pleocytosis. Know
ing their EV-PCR result would have allowed a saving of 18 hospital days and
12 days of antibiotic therapy. The EV-PCR in the CSF can thus be practical
ly useful for children hospitalized for meningitis or fever if available on
-site on a daily basis.