title: [Aseptic meningitis in an adult population. Etiology and utility of molecular techniques in the clinical management of patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study describes the epidemiological, clinical and microbiological features of acute aseptic meningitis (AAM) in an adult population, and evaluates the impact of microbiological results on the clinical management of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases of AAM were prospectively collected between 2007 and 2010 among immunocompetent patients over 14 years-old. Enteroviruses and herpes viruses were determined using nucleic acids detection in CSF. Demographic and clinical data were retrospectively collected from medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 94 patients were included, of whom 84 were diagnosed with viral meningitis (VM). The annual incidence of VM ranged from 2.4 to 15.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. An aetiological diagnosis was obtained in 76.2% of the patients with VM, 55 enterovirus, 4 HSV-2, 3 VZV, one HSV-1, and one EBV. Forty five per cent of patients were admitted to hospital and 65.8% of them received antibiotic treatment. A positive result prompted immediate discharge of 80% of inpatients and discontinuation of antibiotic therapy in 94.1% of them. The median duration of admission to hospital in these patients was 2.8±2.9 days. Patients without available results during admission completed the antibiotic treatment, and the median hospital stay was 11.6±4.6 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The annual incidence of AAM is variable. Enteroviruses were the main aetiological agent. Molecular tests revealed the aetiology in 76.2% of cases. Almost half of the patients required hospitalisation, and in these cases a positive result can lead to the immediate discharge of patients, and the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions can be reduced.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, España.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Florén-Zabala
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chamizo-López
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eisman-Maraver
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pérez-González
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Ory-Marchón
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trallero-Maso
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabrerizo
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pena-López
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult