title: GeneXpert for Diagnosis of Tubercular Meningitis.
abstract: Diagnosis of tubercular meningitis (TBM) is difficult in children. The GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay has been recommended by WHO in 2013 to be used in children and in extra pulmonary clinical specimens. The present study was designed to assess the diagnostic utility of GeneXpert in detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in TBM cases and to compare the results with liquid culture BACTEC 460. Thirty four subjects <15 y were diagnosed as TBM based on clinical, CSF and imaging details. Sensitivity of GeneXpert in CSF was 38.24 % as compared to Bactec culture which was only 14.71 % (p 0.0279). To conclude, GeneXpert MTB/RIF test is able to rapidly confirm diagnosis of TBM with higher sensitivity as compared to conventional methods and liquid culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, S. N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhatia
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, S. N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rajeshwar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dayal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, S. N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Shishir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, S. N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. drdiptiagarwal@yahoo.co.in.|, Flat no.310, Shivam Elegant Appt., Sikandra Bodla Rd., Agra, 282007, Uttar Pradesh, India. drdiptiagarwal@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, S. N. Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Ankur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: BACTEC; Cerebrospinal fluid; Diagnosis; GeneXpert; Tubercular meningitis