The diagnostic value of PCR for the detection of enteroviral infections

The applicability of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of enteroviral infections is evaluated in this study. A general primer-mediated enterovirus specific PCR was used for the detection of enteroviral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from six patients with meningitis, 56 biopsy specimens from 16 patients with congestive heart failure, and two patients with a systemic enteroviral infection. Samples from three patients with meningitis were found positive and in each of eight patients with heart disease, enteroviral RNA was detected in at least one biopsy specimen. From both patients with a systemic enteroviral infection several different organs and tissues were found positive. After reviewing the literature, we concluded that the PCR might become a useful tool for the diagnosis of persistent enteroviral infections and enteroviral-induced meningitis, but that the applicability of PCR for the routine diagnosis of acute enteroviral infections is questionable.