New molecular tools for meningitis diagnostics in Ethiopia - a necessary step towards improving antimicrobial prescription.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Meningitis remains a top cause of premature death and loss of disability-adjusted life years in low-income countries. In resource-limited settings, proper laboratory diagnostics are often scarce and knowledge about national and local epidemiology is limited. Misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment and overuse of antibiotics are potential consequences, especially for viral meningitis.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted over three months in a teaching hospital in Ethiopia with limited laboratory resources. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis were analysed using a multiplex PCR-based system (FilmArray, BioFire), in addition to basic routine testing with microscopy and culture. Clinical data, as well as information on treatment a

SUBMITTER: Barnes GK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6302510 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature