title: [Impact of introducing an enterovirus polymerase chain reaction in the management of aseptic meningitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The diagnosis of aseptic meningitis, based on an enterovirus PCR (EV-PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid, is a rapid and sensitive test.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of introducing EV-PCR on the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay in aseptic meningitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study that included children with aseptic meningitis during one year. The patients prior to the introduction of the test formed the control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The performance of the PCR test was associated with less use of antibiotics compared to the control group (16.2% vs 41.4%, P=.029) and with fewer days of administration (.54 vs. 2 days, P=.014). A non-significant decrease in length of stay (3.57 vs. 4.21 days, P=.376) was also observed in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The introduction of the EV-PCR test decreases the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España. Electronic address: jrdoc3737@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Carrasco Fernández
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gómez-Pastrana
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Alados Arboledas
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aragón Fernández
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital General de Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, España.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ortiz Tardío
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000235:genetics*; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008582:Meningitis, Aseptic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Aseptic meningitis; Children; Enterovirus; Meningitis aséptica; Niños; Polymerase chain reaction; Reacción en cadena de la polimerasa