Diagnosis of enterovirus neurological infections in the region of Monastir (Tunisia) by RT-PCR and cell cultures

摘要

Enteroviruses are the most common pathogens identified in infants and neonates hospitalized for suspected neurological infections. Rapid detection of enterovirus infection is essential in taking the decision for treatment and applying infection c6ntrol measures in hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of conventional virus isolation with those of enteroviral RNA detection by reverse transcription polymer-ase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. CSF samples were collected from 86 patients hospitalized in the pediatrie department of Monastir hospital. Theses samples were tested by RT-PCR for the detection of the viral RNA and inoculated in HEp-2, RD and Vero cell cultures. Sixty one of the 86 (71%) specimens were positive by RT-PCR, while 45 (52.32%) specimens were detected by culture method. Because of higher sensitivity and rapidity, RT-PCR is superior to virus culture of CSF for the diagnosis of enterovirus neurological infections.