Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction using protein b primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.
BACKGROUND
Rapid and specific diagnosis of tubercular meningitis (TBM) is of utmost importance.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using protein b primers directed against M. tuberculosis for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.


METHODS
PCR using protein b primers was performed in ten patients with confirmed TBM (culture positive), 60 patients with clinically suspected TBM and 40 patients with no TBM (control group).


RESULTS
Protein b PCR had a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 100% in patients with confirmed TBM. In 60 clinically diagnosed TBM patients, protein b PCR was positive in 49 (81.7%) patients. The overall sensitivity of microscopy, culture and PCR using protein b primers was 1.4%, 14.3%, and 82.8% and specificity was 100%, 100%, and 100% respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Protein b PCR is valuable in rapid diagnosis of TBM.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. sharmakusum9@yahoo.co.in
Kusum
K
Sharma
Aman
A
Sharma
Malkit
M
Singh
Pallab
P
Ray
Ritika
R
Dandora
Shiv K
SK
Sharma
Manish
M
Modi
Sudesh
S
Prabhakar
Meera
M
Sharma
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
D017931:DNA Primers; C045281:IgA receptor; D011961:Receptors, Fc