Detection of human cytomegalovirus in patients with meningitis by using real time PCR

Abstract EN

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is one of the causes of meningitis and can affect the nervous system at all levels, from the hemispheres to the peripheral nerves, with presentations reflecting the pattern of anatomic involvement.Aim of the study: To assess the role of Human Cytomegalovirusin a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of Meningitis patientsusing Real time PCR method.Materials and Method: This study recruited Forty-EightMeningitis patients (referred as cases onward).The levels of glucose and proteins as well as cell cytology were used to roll out patients with other types of meningitis.DNA was isolated from CSF samples obtained from each participant.

The HCMV UL36 gene was amplified with specific set of primers using Eva Green Real Time PCR.Results:results proved that 4(8.4%) out of 48 samples were real –time PCR positive the remainder 44 (91.6 %) were CMV real time PCR negative.Conclusion:Based on of these results, we concluded that HCMV should not be rule out as one of the most important causes of meningitis in Iraq.