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CSF PCR

Aka: CSF PCR, CSF Polymerase Chain Reaction, Cerebrospinal Fluid PCR

Indications
1. Suspected enterovirus Meningitis
  1. Allows for early hospital discharge
2. Suspected Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis
3. Suspected Cytomegalovirus Encephalitis
Available PCR tests
1. Viral Meningitis sensitivity: 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
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

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/17/2012.

This is one of 5740 pages in the Family Practice Notebook