[Laboratory diagnosis of lymphocytic meningitis]

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Clinical Microbiology
• Molecular Diagnostics

Context:

• Viral meningitis, often acute and benign, is frequently caused by enteroviruses, herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and Toscana viruses.
• Traditional diagnostic methods for viral meningitis are limited by virus viability in samples.
• Advancements in molecular diagnostics have revolutionized the detection of viral pathogens.

Purpose:

• To highlight the advantages of nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT) for diagnosing viral meningitis.
• To discuss the selection criteria for molecular diagnostic methods in laboratories.
• To review the utility of commercial real-time PCR kits for common viral meningitis agents.

Summary:

• Nucleic acid amplification techniques (NAAT) are the preferred methods for diagnosing viral meningitis from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to their speed and sensitivity.
• Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) systems, especially commercial kits for enteroviruses and herpesviruses, are crucial for efficient laboratory diagnosis.
• While NAAT has largely replaced cell culture, combining methods and analyzing alternative specimens or using serology can aid in diagnosing less common viral meningitis cases.

Impact:

• NAAT provides faster and more accurate diagnoses of viral meningitis, improving patient management.
• The availability of commercial real-time PCR kits standardizes and enhances the detection of key viral meningitis pathogens.
• This facilitates better laboratory workflow and diagnostic capabilities for viral meningitis.