POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION ASSAY IS AS SENSITIVE AND MORE RAPID THAN CULTURE FOR ENTEROVIRAL MENINGITIS DIAGNOSIS. |[dagger]| 1114

During summer months, children with viral meningitis (VM) are routinely admitted to the hospital for several days for parenteral antibiotics pending bacterial/viral cultures. A more rapid diagnostic test could decrease resulting costs, inconvenience, and morbidity, provided sensitivity does not decline.