[Rapid diagnosis of herpetic meningoencephalitis by PCR].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the usefulness of a rapid and simple PCR method in the diagnosis of herpetic meningoencephalitis in a pediatric population.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-three cerebrospinal fluid samples from 114 pediatric patients attending the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona for clinical suspicion of viral meningoencephalitis or to rule out a possible herpetic etiology were evaluated. In addition to classical methods, the diagnostic technique used was PCR amplification of a highly preserved region of the DNA polymerase gene common to herpes virus 1 and 2. All patients were administered acyclovir on admission and until the results of PCR were known. If the result was negative, withdrawal of acyclovir was considered after clinical reexamination. If the result was positive, the therapy was continued for 20 days.


RESULTS
Herpes simplex DNA was detected in four patients. In all patients, clinical outcome confirmed the results of PCR, whether positive or negative. PCR results were available within 6.30 and 72 hours (mean: 18 hours).


CONCLUSIONS
This simple and rapid PCR technique can be applied in the daily routine of the microbiology laboratory. It allows early diagnosis of herpetic meningocephalitis or, when lacking, exclusion of Herpes simplex etiology.
Muñoz-Almagro
Carmen
C
Servicios de Microbiología, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, España.
González-Cuevas
Araceli
A
Cambra
Francisco José
FJ
Juncosa
Teresa
T
Mira
Aurea
A
Latorre
Cristina
C
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000821:virology*; D002648:Child; D003124:Colorimetry; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D016527:Drug Costs; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir