Does PCR detection of viruses in cerebrospinal fluid improve diagnostic yield in patients with suspected CNS infections?
PCR results for viruses in CSF, particularly EBV, should be interpreted cautiously when symptoms do not align with the detected virus.
The diagnostic yield of PCR can be maximised by using sensitive assays to detect a range of pathogens in appropriately timed CSF samples. PCR results, in particular EBV, should be interpreted cautiously when symptoms cannot readily be attributed to the virus detected.
Nicholas Davies (Fri,) studied this question.