Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Diagnostic accuracy of droplet digital PCR analysis of cerebrospinal fluid for tuberculous meningitis in adult patients.

OBJECTIVES: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is still difficult to diagnose. Digital PCR (dPCR) is a novel method which can quantify trace nucleic acids. This study sought to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dPCR analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for TBM.

METHODS: We collected CSF specimens from hospitalized TBM and non-TBM patients. Total CSF DNA was purified and the concentrations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis insert sequence 6110 (IS6110) and gyrase subunit B (gyrB) were quantified using droplet dPCR. The receiver operating characteristic curves of dPCR were established and the diagnostic performances were obtained. We also compared the sensitivity of dPCR with routine diagnostic tests.

RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were recruited, 68 of whom suffered from TBM (26 definite, 34 probable and 8 possible TBM) and 33 from non-TBM. The sensitivity of IS6110-dPCR assay for total TBM was higher than that of gyrB-dPCR assay [57.4% (44.8%-69.3%) vs. 22.1% (12.9%-33.8%)], and there was no significant difference for specificity between them [97.0% (84.2%-99.9%) vs. 100% (89.4%-100.0%)]. The sensitivity of IS6110-dPCR in definite TBM was higher than that in probable and possible TBM (73.1% vs. 52.9% and 25.0%, respectively). IS6110-dPCR assay showed a higher sensitivity than smear microscopy (53.3% vs. 6.7%), mycobacterial culture (50.0% vs. 12.5%), IS6110-quantitative PCR (53.1% vs. 21.9%) and Xpert MTB/RIF (70.4% vs. 29.6%). Long antituberculosis treatment time was found significantly associated with negative dPCR results.

CONCLUSION: CSF IS6110-dPCR assay is a rapid and sensitive molecular test, which has the potential to be used to enhance the diagnosis of TBM.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app