Rapid diagnosis of purulent meningitis in neonates by 16SrRNA microarrays.

Objective To explore a new technique of rapid diagnosis of purulent meningitis in neonates.Methods Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) specimens from 24 cases of suspected purulent meningitis were detected by 16SrRNA Microarrays in the Children's Hospital affilated to Zhejiang University from August 2003 to February,2006;the bacterial cultures of CSF were done as controls at the same time.Results(1)The PCR amplified products of 49 strains were tested by the gene chip hybridization,including 33 Gram-positve and 16 Gram-negative strains.Using the amplified DNA of the 33 Gram-positive bacteria as templets,there were positive findings for the two universal probes and the one Gram-positve probe.The Gram-negative probes and universal probes showed positive results when 16 Gram-negative bacteria were used as templates.Each strain specifically hybridized with its own probe.(2) 1pg(10-12g)(10 copies)were detected by 16S rRNA gene chip hybridization at least in the PCR amplified products of Escherichia coli-enteric bacterium,equaled to 2 bacteria nearly.(3) Of the 24 cases,11 were positive by 16S rRNA Microarrays,the positive rate 45.83%(11/24) being significantly higher than that of CSF culture(12.50%)(3/24)(P 0.01).Conclusion 16SrRNA Microarrays with higher specificity and sensitivity,demanding less CSF,is rapid and reliable for diagnosing purulent meningitis in neonates.So it has considerable value of application.