The role of PCR in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningoencephalitis in children – Case report.

Background Tuberculous (TB) meningoencephalitis is an extremely severe condition which requires a quick and correct diagnosis in order to institute a specific etiological treatment in a timely manner. The current “classical” diagnosis of TB meningitis is established through CSF cultures. The result is often inconclusive or is heavily delayed in the case of positive cultures (4-6 weeks). PLEX-ID is a new method which can establish an etiological diagnosis of bacterial infection in a matter of hours by detecting bacterial DNA in various pathological products (blood, CSF, synovial and pleural fluid).