Serotyping pneumococcal meningitis cases in the African meningitis belt by use of multiplex PCR with cerebrospinal fluid.
We reformulated a multiplex PCR algorithm for serotyping of pneumococcal meningitis directly on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Compared to established methods on isolates, CSF-based PCR had at least 80% sensitivity and 100% specificity. In regional meningitis surveillance, CSF-based PCR increased the serotype information yield from 40% of cases (isolate testing) to 90%.
Njanpop Lafourcade
Berthe-Marie
BM
Agence de Médecine Préventive, at the Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.
Sanou
Oumarou
O
van der Linden
Mark
M
Levina
Natalia
N
Karanfil
Meryem
M
Yaro
Seydou
S
Tamekloe
Tsidi A
TA
Mueller
Judith E
JE
D000349:Africa; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000382:microbiology*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping / Q000379:methods; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification