Although LSDs are rare disorders as a group, they should be considered as a possible cause of NIHF, even in the absence of consanguinity or of a previous family history. By excluding the more frequent causes of NIHF, an LSD investigation assists in clarifying the etiology of many hydropic cases, making more appropriate genetic counseling for parents possible.

-A protocol for testing cerebrospinal fluid specimens using a range of PCR assays for the diagnosis of central nervous system infection was developed and used to test prospectively 383 specimens. PCR assays were used for the detection of adenovirus, Borrelia burgdorferi, enteroviruses, Epstein Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, human herpes virus type 6, JC virus, Leptospira interrogans, Listeria monocytogenes, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, measles virus, mumps virus, Mycobacterium sp., Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Toxoplasma gondii and varicella zoster virus. Of the 383 specimens tested in this study, 46 (12.0%) were found to be positive. The microorganisms detected were CMV, enterovirus, Epstein Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, human herpes virus type 6, JC virus, L. monocytogenes, Mycobacterium genus, Toxoplasma gondii and varicella zoster virus. The introduction of the PCR protocol described has improved the diagnosis of a range of central nervous system infections in our laboratory. We believe however that further evaluation of these assays in immunocompromised patients is necessary to better determine the predictive value of positive PCR results in these patient groups.KEY WORDS: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), central nervous system (CNS), lymphocytic meningitis, encephalitis. Reação em cadeia da polimerase no diagnóstico laboratorial das meningites e encefalites assépticasRESUMO -Foi desenvolvido um protocolo de PCR para analisar os principais patógenos que infectam o sistema nervoso central (SNC). Foram testadas 383 amostras de líquido-cefalorraquidiano (LCR), para detecção de: adenovirus, Borrelia burgdorferi, enterovirus, vírus Epstein Barr , citomegalovírus, vírus herpes simplex, herpes humano tipo 6, vírus JC, Leptospira interrogans, Listeria monocytogenes, vírus da coriomeningite linfocitária, vírus do sarampo, vírus da caxumba, Mycobacterium sp, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Toxoplasma gondii e vírus da varicela zoster. Das 383 amostras de LCR testadas a PCR foi positiva em 46 (12,0%). Os microrganismos detectados foram: citomegalovírus, enterovirus, vírus Epstein Barr , herpes simplex, herpes humanao tipo 6, vírus JC, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium sp, Toxoplasma gondii e varicela zoster. A introdução da técnica de PCR através de um protocolo para análise do LCR otimizou o diagnóstico etiológico das infecções do SNC e tem se revelado um instrumento de grande potencial diagnóstico. Estudos futuros necessitam ser realizados para melhor avaliar os resultados da PCR em pacientes imunocomprometidos e assim determinar o valor preditivo positivo deste ensaio neste grupo de pacientes. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR), sistema nervoso central (SNC), meningite asséptica, encefalite.

We found that occult HB is a condition present in our population of renal transplant patients and that HCV infection does not seem to be associated with occult HB infection in this setting.

Dra. Luciane Failace -Rua Carlos Von Koseritz 1353/201 -90540-031 Porto Alegre RS -Brasil. Acute bacterial meningitis is responsible for m o s t infections affecting the central nervous system ( C N S ) .Close to two-thirds of all cases occur among child ren, and Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae are the pathogens responsible for 80 to 90% of the case s 1 , 2 . A rapid and precise etiologic diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is essential to determine adequate t reatment, and it can also significantly reduce mortality and the risk for long-term sequelae 3 .In epidemiological terms, the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis may indicate the need for selective immu- PA L AV R A S -C H AVE: reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), meningite bacteriana, líquido cefalorr a q u i d iano (LCR).

The prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in an intensive care unit at a public hospital in Porto Alegre was not considered elevated and was comparable with prevalence rates found by other studies.

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