Diagnosing Enteroviral Meningitis Using Real-time RT-PCR with Cerebrospinal Fluid and Stool Specimens

Enteroviral infections are common among children and are a main cause of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is important for diagnosing meningitis, although CSF sampling is difficult and time-consuming. in contrast, stool testing provides simpler sampling and a higher positive rate. We performed polymerase chain reaction testing for paediatric patients (<= 18 years old) who were admitted to Cheonan Dankook University Hospital during 2011-2015 for suspected meningitis (942 patients, 1,884 specimens). The stool specimens exhibited the highest positive rate, and 114 patients exhibited positive CSF and stool specimens. Fourteen patients had positive CSF specimens and negative stool specimens, while 101 patients had positive stool specimens and negative CSF specimens. CSF analysis combined with stool testing may provide a more efficient and accurate diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis, compared to only CSF or stool testing.