The Potential Contribution of the Polymerase Chain Reaction to the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis

Abstract

Many patients who respond to treatment for TBM do not have M tuberculosis in the CSF identifiable by microscopy, PCR, or culture. Polymerase chain reaction on CSF is the best method for the laboratory diagnosis of TBM. Polymerase chain reaction is especially useful for the early diagnosis of TBM in those without active extraneural tuberculosis.

Evaluation of the IS6110 PCR assay for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results show agreement with some previous studies, which showed 85–98% sensitivity [ 20 , 25 , 26 ] and a disparity to various other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32–75% [ 27 - 30 ]. Rafi etal used a DNA extraction protocol involving CTAB detergent, which enhances PCR positivity in CSF samples [ 20 ].…”

Evaluation of the IS6110 PCR assay for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results show agreement with some previous studies, which showed 85–98% sensitivity [ 20 , 25 , 26 ] and a disparity to various other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32–75% [ 27 - 30 ]. Rafi etal used a DNA extraction protocol involving CTAB detergent, which enhances PCR positivity in CSF samples [ 20 ].…”

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction using protein b primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results are similar to some previous studies which showed 85-98% sensitivity [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] and differs from other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32-75%. [26][27][28][29] The reason for the low sensitivity in many studies could be due to low volume of CSF available, insufficient lyses of cells, loss of DNA during purification or different target used for amplification.…”

Interferon γ quantification in cerebrospinal fluid compared with PCR for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…IS6110-targeted PCR, in accordance with previous studies [8][9][10][11][12]26], had a sensitivity of 65% for TBM diagnosis, lower that the sensitivity achieved by INF-c (70%). In comparison with INF-c, the sensitivity of PCR technique was especially low in patients with negative cultures (probable TBM) (35% vs. 50%), whose bacilli load in CSF is supposed to be lower [27].…”

Evaluation of the IS6110 PCR assay for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results show agreement with some previous studies, which showed 85–98% sensitivity [ 20 , 25 , 26 ] and a disparity to various other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32–75% [ 27 - 30 ]. Rafi etal used a DNA extraction protocol involving CTAB detergent, which enhances PCR positivity in CSF samples [ 20 ].…”

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction using protein b primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results are similar to some previous studies which showed 85-98% sensitivity [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] and differs from other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32-75%. [26][27][28][29] The reason for the low sensitivity in many studies could be due to low volume of CSF available, insufficient lyses of cells, loss of DNA during purification or different target used for amplification.…”

Interferon γ quantification in cerebrospinal fluid compared with PCR for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…IS6110-targeted PCR, in accordance with previous studies [8][9][10][11][12]26], had a sensitivity of 65% for TBM diagnosis, lower that the sensitivity achieved by INF-c (70%). In comparison with INF-c, the sensitivity of PCR technique was especially low in patients with negative cultures (probable TBM) (35% vs. 50%), whose bacilli load in CSF is supposed to be lower [27].…”

Evaluation of the IS6110 PCR assay for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results show agreement with some previous studies, which showed 85–98% sensitivity [ 20 , 25 , 26 ] and a disparity to various other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32–75% [ 27 - 30 ]. Rafi etal used a DNA extraction protocol involving CTAB detergent, which enhances PCR positivity in CSF samples [ 20 ].…”

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction using protein b primers for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…Our results are similar to some previous studies which showed 85-98% sensitivity [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] and differs from other studies, which had a low sensitivity of 32-75%. [26][27][28][29] The reason for the low sensitivity in many studies could be due to low volume of CSF available, insufficient lyses of cells, loss of DNA during purification or different target used for amplification.…”

Interferon γ quantification in cerebrospinal fluid compared with PCR for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis

“…IS6110-targeted PCR, in accordance with previous studies [8][9][10][11][12]26], had a sensitivity of 65% for TBM diagnosis, lower that the sensitivity achieved by INF-c (70%). In comparison with INF-c, the sensitivity of PCR technique was especially low in patients with negative cultures (probable TBM) (35% vs. 50%), whose bacilli load in CSF is supposed to be lower [27].…”