Innovative molecular diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

The infections of the central nervous system (CNS) represent a difficult diagnostic problem for both clinicians and microbiologists. In recent years, a variety of new technologies have been proposed that allow microbiological analyses. This paper will discuss the potential benefits derived from the use of new methods for rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis that plays a central role in CNS infections. In Italy, with nearly 900 cases per year, bacterial meningitis continues to be a significant source of morbidity and mortality. The principal pathogens causes of bacterial meningitis are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae, responsible for about 70% of reported cases in Italy. Bacterial meningitis is a serious infection that must be diagnosed and treated as fast as possible. The development of diagnostic methods, including polymerase chain reaction assay and its variants, that are fast, sensitive and specific is therefore of great interest.