Investigation of bacterial and viral agents in brain spinal fluids by molecular methods

Central nervous system (CNS) infections are among the most important diseases requiring rapid diagnosis because they can progress rapidly and lead to death or permanent tissue disorders. Today, although vaccination programs have made progress in this regard, these infections remain important due to their high morbidity and mortality. Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the pia and arachnoid membranes surrounding the brain to form a subarachnoid space. Meningitis is divided into four main subgroups as septic, aseptic, recurrent and chronic. In septic meningitis, the causative agent is bacterial microorganisms, while other types of meningitis may be infectious (viral, mycobacterial or fungal) or non-infectious. In this study, bacterial and viral agents of 50 CSF samples sent to Fırat University Hospital Microbiology Laboratory with suspicion of meningitis were investigated by using multiplex PCR method for rapid diagnosis. HSV1, PV, VZV and N. Meningitidis were detected in 50 CSF samples.