[Utility of multiplex PCR for diagnosis of neurological disorders in HIV-infected patients and patients with AIDS].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of multiplex PCR utility for diagnosis of central nervous system disorders in HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
Multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, HHV-6, CMV, EBV, JCV, T. gondii DNA in 27 CSF samples from HIV-infected patients was used. PCR results were compared with clinical diagnosis and histopathological examination of brain obtained at autopsy.


METHODS
Five of seven positive results were corresponding with clinical diagnosis. In two cases also with autopsy.


RESULTS
DNA of one or more pathogens was found in 6 out of 27 (22%) samples: CMV DNA in four patients, JCV DNA and T. gondii DNA in one patients each. In one case co-infections of CMV and EBV was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiplex PCR is a useful diagnostic method. LIPA-CNS test has high specificity. Lack of nesting step of the reaction and PCR positive control verification could cause a relatively low sensitivity of the test.
Bednarska
Agnieszka
A
Wojewódzki Szpital Zakaźny w Warszawie. basand@mp.pl
Podlasin
Regina
R
Karczewski
Grzegorz
G
Loch
Teresa
T
Horban
Andrzej
A
Radkowski
Marek
M
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D001344:Autopsy; D020805:Central Nervous System Viral Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004279:DNA, Viral