Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en DETECTION OF HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE TYPE B IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF SUSPECTED CHILDREN WITH MENINGITIS BYPCR Microbiology and Anatomy Microbiology and Anatomy Original Research Original Research ABSTRACT<o:p /> Background: A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with primers from "hpd" gene was compared with culture for the detection of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) in CSF samples from children suspected of meningitis.<o:p /> Methods: 300 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from suspected meningitis cases were studied by culture (Leventhal & Chocolate Agar) and PCR.<o:p /> Results: The latter method could detect Hib in all 5 culture positive and in 2 of 295 culture negative cases, showing sensitivity, specificity, and an accuracy index of 100%, 99% and 99%, respectively. The PCR result was available within a day.<o:p /> Conclusion: This study has shown that PCR is a rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic test for Hib from CSF samples. Futthermore, to maximize management of meningitis cases to reduce the morbidity, mortality, and complications of invasive Hib infection a combination of culture and PCR is necessary for the detection ofHib infection. The incidence ofHib meningitis among children in Children's Medical Center in Tehran based on culture and PCR results were 2.4% and 1.7% respectively. Based on culture results, Hib causes 15.6% of all cases ofbacte1ial meningitis in children.<o:p /> Haemophilus influenzae type b; Meningitis: PCR; culture; CSF; Iran; Incidence. 181 184 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-310&slc_lang=en&sid=1 F.A. NAKHJAVANI 20031947532846003046 20031947532846003046 No Department of microbiology. Faculty of Medicine. Tehran University of Medical Sciences F. BONAKDAR HASHEMI 20031947532846003047 20031947532846003047 No Department of microbiology. Faculty of Medicine. Tehran University of Medical Sciences M.T. KALANi taherikalani @razi.tums.ac.ir 20031947532846003048 20031947532846003048 Yes Department of microbiology. Faculty of Medicine. Tehran University of Medical Sciences B. KAZEMI 20031947532846003049 20031947532846003049 No Departmzent of 'Parasiology, Faculty of' Medicine. Shahid Beheshti Universitv of Medical Sciences K. NOURI 20031947532846003050 20031947532846003050 No Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Faculty of'Public Health & lnstiture of Health Research, Tehran Universitv of Medical Sciences. N. AZADI 20031947532846003051 20031947532846003051 No Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology. Faculty of'Public Health & lnstiture of Health Research, Tehran Universitv of Medical Sciences. M. HAGHI ASHTIANI 20031947532846003052 20031947532846003052 No Children's Medical Center; Microbiology Laboratory.Tehran University of' Medical Sciences, Tehran. I.R.Iran. M. ALIGHOLI 20031947532846003053 20031947532846003053 No Department of microbiology. Faculty of Medicine. Tehran University of Medical Sciences U. ERFANI 20031947532846003054 20031947532846003054 No Children's Medical Center; Microbiology Laboratory.Tehran University of' Medical Sciences, Tehran. I.R.Iran. M. ABEDINI 20031947532846003055 20031947532846003055 No Children's Medical Center; Microbiology Laboratory.Tehran University of' Medical Sciences, Tehran. I.R.Iran.