title: Comparison of real time IS6110-PCR, microscopy, and culture for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in a cohort of adult patients in Indonesia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacteriological confirmation of tuberculous (TB) meningitis is difficult. Culture is slow and microscopy has insufficient sensitivity. We evaluated real time PCR targeting insertion sequence IS6110 among 230 consecutive adult patients with subacute meningitis in a referral hospital in Indonesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were examined using microscopy, solid and liquid culture, and real time IS6110-PCR with a fluorescence-labeled probe using DNA extracted from CSF. CSF samples from 40 non-infectious neurology patients were used as negative controls. IS6110-PCR results were linked with clinical and CSF characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients presented with subacute meningitis, after a median of 14 days of symptoms (range 7-30). After exclusion of cryptococcal and bacterial meningitis, 207 patients were classified as definite or probable TB meningitis; 17.9% with HIV infection. Among this group IS6110-PCR gave the highest positivity rate (68%, 95% CI 62-74%) compared with microscopy of ZN-stained slides (11%, 95% CI 7-15%), and mycobacterial culture using solid (36%, 95% CI 29-42%) and liquid (44%, 95% CI 37-51%) media. IS6110-PCR was positive in 92% of patients with culture-positive and 42% of patients with culture-negative probable TB meningitis. Among culture-negative patients, a positive PCR was associated with a history of TB treatment, a longer duration of illness, a higher CSF cell count and protein, and a lower CSF glucose. IS6110-PCR was negative in all CSF samples from non-meningitis control patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Real time IS6110-PCR is a quick, sensitive, and specific test for diagnosing of TB meningitis in this setting. Its performance in other (less-developed) settings needs further study.
authors.affiliation: Health Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University/Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia. lidya.upk.unpad@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lidya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chaidir
authors.forename: Ahmad Rizal
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ganiem
authors.forename: Adri
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vander Zanden
authors.forename: Soni
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Muhsinin
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kusumaningrum
authors.forename: Inri
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kusumadewi
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van der Ven
authors.forename: Bachti
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alisjahbana
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Parwati
authors.forename: Reinout
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Crevel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult