Rapid diagnosis of suspected epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases by PCR.

Objective To rapidly diagnose suspected epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases by PCR.Methods Neisseria meningitides was detected from cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples of suspected epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases.Results There Neisseria meningitidis NmCrgA gene fragments were detected from 7 of the 11 cerebrospinal fluid samples with a positivek rate of 63.63%,and Neisseria meningitidis NmCrgA gene fragments were detected from 3 of 11 serum samples with a positive rate of 27.27%.Conclusion The PCR technique can be used for rapid detection of Neisseria meningitidis from suspected epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis cases.