Lab

CSF PCR

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CSF PCR, CSF Polymerase Chain Reaction, Cerebrospinal Fluid PCR

  • Indications
  1. Suspected Enterovirus Meningitis
    1. Allows for early hospital discharge
  2. Suspected Herpes Simplex VirusEncephalitis
  3. Suspected CytomegalovirusEncephalitis
  • Preparations
  • Available PCR tests
  1. Viral Meningitis sensitivity overall: 95-100%
  2. HSV Type I sensitivity: 100%
  3. Epstein-Barr Virus sensitivity: 100%
  4. Enterovirus sensitivity: 100%
  5. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
    1. PCR is gold standard
  6. Tuberculosis sensitivity: 54-100%
  7. Acute Neurosyphilis
    1. Lower sensitivity in chronic Neurosyphilis
  8. West Nile Virus
  9. Varicella Zoster Virus
  • Advantages
  1. High sensitivity and Specificity
  2. Fast
  3. Requires only small CSF volumes
  • Disadvantages
  1. Expensive
  • References
  1. Seehusen (2003) Am Fam Physician 68:1103-8 [PubMed]