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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2022; 17(04): 188-193
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749647
Original Article

Investigation of the Etiological Causes of Central Nervous System Infection in Children with Multiplex PCR

Ayşe Karaaslan 
1   Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Ceren Çetin
1   Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Mehmet Tolga Köle
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Yakup Çağ
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Serap Demir Tekol
3   Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
,
Yasemin Akın
2   Department of Pediatrics, University of Health Sciences, Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the causative agents of central nervous system (CNS) infection in hospitalized pediatric patients by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children who underwent lumbar puncture with suspected CNS infection between September 2019 and September 2021. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were evaluated by the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis (ME) Panel.

Results The etiology of the infection was established in 13,02% (n = 25) cases. Human herpesvirus (HHV) type 6 was the most commonly identified pathogen 60% (n = 15), followed by enterovirus 20% (n = 5), Streptococcus pneumoniae 8% (n = 2), Streptococcus agalactiae 4% (n = 1), HHV type 1 4% (n = 1), and Listeria monocytogenes 4% (n = 1). The statistical analysis showed that the age of the group with enterovirus was younger than the age of the group with other causative microorganisms and the group with HHV-6 (respectively p: 0.032; p: 0.011). The hospitalization periods of the group with enterovirus and HHV-6 were shorter than the hospitalization periods of the other causative microorganisms (respectively p: 0.016; p: 0.000) and the absolute neutrophil count values of the group with HHV-6 were lower than the group of other causative microorganisms (p: 0.015).

Conclusion Our study identified HHV-6 as the main cause of CNS infection in Istanbul during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic when isolation measures were taken. The duration of hospital stay was found to be shorter in CNS infection caused by viral agents. Revealing the causative agent in the CSF is a fast and effective method that prevents unnecessary antibiotic treatment and shortens the hospitalization period of patients.

Keywords

central nervous system - infection - children - multiplex PCR


Publication History

Received: 15 January 2022

Accepted: 21 April 2022

Article published online:
11 July 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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