Accuracy of real-time PCR Gram stain and culture for Streptococcus pneumoniae Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae meningitis diagnosis

摘要

BackgroundAlthough cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture is the diagnostic reference standard for bacterial meningitis, its sensitivity is limited, particularly when antibiotics were previously administered. CSF Gram staining and real-time PCR are theoretically less affected by antibiotics; however, it is difficult to evaluate these tests with an imperfect reference standard.