Ghafari, Shokouh, Namakin, Kokab, khooban, Ali Reza, askari, parvin, Yousefi, Masoud, Ziaee, Masood (2023). Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis. , 9(3), 219-228. doi: 10.61186/iem.9.3.219
Shokouh Ghafari; Kokab Namakin; Ali Reza khooban; parvin askari; Masoud Yousefi; Masood Ziaee. "Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis". , 9, 3, 2023, 219-228. doi: 10.61186/iem.9.3.219
Ghafari, Shokouh, Namakin, Kokab, khooban, Ali Reza, askari, parvin, Yousefi, Masoud, Ziaee, Masood (2023). 'Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis', , 9(3), pp. 219-228. doi: 10.61186/iem.9.3.219
Ghafari, Shokouh, Namakin, Kokab, khooban, Ali Reza, askari, parvin, Yousefi, Masoud, Ziaee, Masood Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis. , 2023; 9(3): 219-228. doi: 10.61186/iem.9.3.219

Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis

Infection Epidemiology and Microbiology
Article 3, Volume 9, Issue 3, 2023, Pages 219-228    PDF (470.61 K)
Document Type: Original Research
DOI: 10.61186/iem.9.3.219
Authors
Shokouh Ghafari1; Kokab Namakin2; Ali Reza khooban3; parvin askari3; Masoud Yousefi3; Masood Ziaee* 3
1Cellular 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.
2Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Bacterial meningitis; Culture; Real time polymerase chain reaction
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