Molecular Detection of Bacterial Etiologies Causing Meningitis in Pediatric Pateints in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Bacterial meningitis is prevalent in pediatric populations worldwide and associated with mortality and neurological complications in tropical and subtropical regions. This study aimed to evaluate in-use clinical diagnostic approaches against two PCR method in detection of bacterial pathogens implicated in pediatric meningitis in Taif city (Saudi Arabia). The tested PCR method were real-time and multiplex polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR and mPCR).One hundred and fifteen CSF samples were collected from suspected pediatric patients with acute meningitis admitted to Taif children’s hospital between January and December 2016. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed by the automated BD Phoenix™ identification and susceptibility testing system. Culture-based detection identified Citrobacter freundii (in one sample) and Salmonella spp. (in one sample). However, molecular detection by PCR approach of 113 culture-negative samples identified; N. meningitidis, (A serotype), H. influenzae (2-strains), and S. pneumoniae (19A and 23F strains). PCR-based detection approach is more efficient in microbiological diagnosis of bacterial etiologies in CSF specimens.