Polymerase chain reaction in clinically suggestive tuberculous meningitis

Aim: to describe the results of polymerase chain reaction test on cerebrospinal fluid,in clinically suggestive cases of tuberculous meningitis. methods: this descriptive study was conducted in the department of paediatric medicine,nishtar hospital,multan from october 2013 to march 2014. a total of 80 patients aged 6 months to 12 years,admitted in the ward with suspicion of tuberculous meningitis were evaluated. results: regarding cerebrospinal fluid analysis,14(17.5%) patients showed normal picture whereas 66(82.5%) had abnormal picture. as regards pcr test for tuberculosis,34(42.5%) patients were negative and remaining 46(57.5%) patients were positive. conclusion:pcr can be used as a rapid diagnostic test in clinically suggestive tuberculous meningitis when csf is negative for microscopic examination.