title: Detection of enteroviruses in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction: prospective study of impact on the management of hospitalized children.
abstract: A polymerase chain reaction kit (AMPLICOR EV) for the detection of enteroviruses (EV-PCR) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was evaluated in clinical conditions in a prospective blinded-intention study. Forty-three children (mean age 2.7 years) hospitalized for suspected meningitis or fever of unclear 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 was positive in nine (21%) children, including three infants without CSF pleocytosis. Knowing 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 practically useful for children hospitalized for meningitis or fever if available on-site on a daily basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Spicher
authors.forename: P Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Berclaz
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cheseaux
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suter
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wunderli
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Siegrist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies