[Impact of introducing an enterovirus polymerase chain reaction in the management of aseptic meningitis].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The diagnosis of aseptic meningitis, based on an enterovirus PCR (EV-PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid, is a rapid and sensitive test.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the impact of introducing EV-PCR on the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay in aseptic meningitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A prospective study that included children with aseptic meningitis during one year. The patients prior to the introduction of the test formed the control group.

RESULTS:

The performance of the PCR test was associated with less use of antibiotics compared to the control group (16.2% vs 41.4%, P=.029) and with fewer days of administration (.54 vs. 2 days, P=.014). A non-significant decrease in length of stay (3.57 vs. 4.21 days, P=.376) was also observed in the study group.

CONCLUSION:

The introduction of the EV-PCR test decreases the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay.

• Authors: J R Carrasco Fernández, D Gómez-Pastrana, J C Alados Arboledas, C Aragón Fernández, J Ortiz Tardío
• Journal: Anales de pediatria (Barcelona, Spain : 2003) (An Pediatr (Barc)) Vol. 82 Issue 1 Pg. e26-9 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1695-9531 [Electronic] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Impacto de la implantación de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa a enterovirus en el manejo de la meningitis aséptica.
• PMID: 24856544 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Drug Utilization (statistics & numerical data)
• Enterovirus (genetics)
• Enterovirus Infections (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Meningitis, Aseptic (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Prospective Studies