Comparing of culture and PCR of CSF for diagnosis of bacterial meningitidis

Meningitidis is inflamation of meningeal membrane surrounded brain and spinal cord. Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae), Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) and Neisseria meningitidis (N. meningitidis) are common pathogenes of meningitidis cases. Meningitidis is the significant cause of mortality and morbidity because of developing in vital sites such as cranium and spinal cord. Early diagnosis and using of appropriate antimicrobial agents are important for reducing the rate of neurological sequelae and mortality. Therefore; used in the culture of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and Polymerase Chain Reaction ((PCR) for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitidis etiology. In this study we compared culture of CSF and PCR and identified the factors that affect these methods. In this study, 57 meningitidis cases diagnosed in our department between December 2009-April 2012 were included. Cases were assessed fort he purposes of demographic characteristics, clinical signs and symptoms, the presence of predisposing factor, physical examination and laboratory findings, treatment regimens, complications in patients, CSF culture results, CSF PCR results and the factors that affect these methods. In 10 (%17,5) of CSF samples cultured agent was isolated, the remaining 47 (%82,5) CSF samples cultured agent was not isolated. In CSF culture results, S. pneumoniae in 10 samples were isolated. In this 10 of CSF samples CSF PCR the same agent was isolated. In 34(%59,6) of 57 CSF samples were detected PCR positive, the remaining 23 (%40,4) CSF samples were detected PCR negative. In CSF PCR results, S. pneumoniae in 34 (%97,05) and N. meningitidis in 1 (%2,95) samples were isolated. In 23 of 57 CSF samples were negative culture and PCR. PCR negative, culture positive sample was not detected. As a result, in this study rates of mortality and sequelae found lower, even though meningitidis is a disease with high morbidity and mortality rate. Early diagnosis and treatment of these patients is important to prevention of prognosis and complications.