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Application of PCR for various neurotropic viruses on the diagnosis of viral meningitis
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Japan.
Background:
Epidemiological studies have indicated that the majority of cases of aseptic meningitis result from viral infections. However, specific viral pathogens for aseptic meningitis can be identified in only some cases even if consistent conventional diagnostic methodologies rare used.
Objectives:
To clarify the etiological agents of aseptic meningitis by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for various neurotropic viruses.
Study Design:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from 73 children suspected of having meningitis from November 1991 to December 1994. The samples were examined for infectious viruses by cell culture and for viral genomes by PCR.
Results And Conclusions:
Of 45 samples from patients diagnosed with aseptic meningitis, positive PCR results for enterovirus, mumps virus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus were obtained from respectively 25, 14, 1, and 1. Viral pathogens were thus identified in 41 (91.1%) of the 45 CSF samples. By the combination of PCR methods with conventional virological methods, the diagnosis of viral meningitis was established in 97.8% of the 45 cases. Our findings prove that the application of PCR methods is useful for etiological study of aseptic meningitis, and that the vast majority of cases of aseptic meningitis result from viral infection.
Insights
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) effectively identifies viral pathogens in most aseptic meningitis cases. This molecular diagnostic method significantly improves the etiological diagnosis of viral meningitis in children.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Aseptic meningitis is frequently caused by viral infections, but conventional diagnostic methods often fail to identify specific pathogens.
- Accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for understanding and managing viral meningitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the etiological agents of aseptic meningitis in children using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- To evaluate the utility of PCR in identifying neurotropic viruses responsible for meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from 73 children with suspected meningitis.
- Samples were analyzed using both conventional cell culture and PCR for viral genomes.
- PCR targeted various neurotropic viruses, including enterovirus, mumps virus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus.
Main Results:
- Viral pathogens were identified in 91.1% (41 out of 45) of aseptic meningitis cases using PCR.
- Enterovirus was the most common pathogen (25 cases), followed by mumps virus (14 cases).
- Combining PCR with conventional methods achieved a diagnostic rate of 97.8% for viral meningitis.
Conclusions:
- PCR is a highly effective tool for the etiological study of aseptic meningitis.
- The majority of aseptic meningitis cases are attributable to viral infections, as confirmed by PCR.
- Molecular diagnostics like PCR significantly enhance the diagnostic yield for viral meningitis.