title: Scaling up of PCR-based surveillance of bacterial meningitis in the African meningitis belt: indisputable benefits of multiplex PCR assay in Niger.
abstract: The absence of reliable laboratories for culture of Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae, the three main causes of bacterial meningitis in Africa, hampers microbiological surveillance in these countries. To compensate for this situation in Niger, a multiplex single-tube PCR method has been implemented at a central level to test cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. The overall confirmation rate for PCR (N=3791) was 40.8% compared with 16.0% for culture (N=945) (P<10(-6)). Among 850 CSF specimens tested by both methods, the overall confirmation rate was 29.4% for PCR and 16.4% for culture (P<10(-8)). PCR was also efficient for the CSF specimens stored in Trans-isolate medium. In conclusion, PCR assay is currently a key tool in Africa to improve microbiological surveillance of bacterial meningitis.
authors.affiliation: CERMES, Réseau International des Instituts Pasteur, P.O. Box 10 887, Niamey, Niger. schanteau@cermes.ne
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chanteau
authors.forename: Fati
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sidikou
authors.forename: Saacou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Djibo
authors.forename: Amadou
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.forename: Habsatou
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mindadou
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boisier
mesh_terms: D003470:Culture Media; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009548:Niger / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media