International Journal of Biotechnology & Biochemistry

  • Year: 2010
  • Volume: 6
  • Issue: 2

Utility of Real Time PCR in the Rapid Diagnosis of Pyogenic Meningitis

  • Author:
  • Shameem Sultlana1,2, C. S. Vinod Kumar3,, Vandana Rathod4, K. G. Basavarajappa5, K. N. Kalappanavar6
  • Total Page Count: 12
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 175 to 186

1Division of Research in Medical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Gulbarga university, Gulbarga, Karnataka.

2KBNIMS, Gulbarga.

3Department of Microbiology, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere-577005.

4Division of Research in Medical Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Gulbarga university, Gulbarga, Karnataka.

5Department of Microbiology, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere-577005.

6Department of Pediatrics, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere-577005.

Abstract

This study outlines the evaluation of a single-tube multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, and S. pneumoniae in clinical samples using the TaqMan system. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of the three major meningitis-causing pathogens are assessed. The application of the multiplex PCR as an epidemiological tool for improved non-culture diagnosis was evaluated and compared with cultural and serological techniques. It was possible to identify clinically significant bacterial species in cerebrospinal fluid by multiplex PCR, and to identify H. influenzae by real-time PCR within a short period.

Keywords

Meningitis, N. meningitidis, H. influenzae, S. pneumonia, PCR