Meningitis: Microarray Assay for Pathogen Identification Analysis

The report analyzes a study on the application of microarray technology for rapid pathogen identification in purulent meningitis. The study compared the microarray method with the conventional CSF culture method in detecting bacterial infections. The report details the methodology, including the use of specific primers and oligonucleotides, and the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid samples. The results indicated a higher detection rate with the microarray method compared to the CSF culture method. The study also discussed the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the microarray technique in identifying various bacterial pathogens. The report concludes with a discussion of the limitations, including the inability to identify unknown microorganisms and the potential impact of low CSF sensitivity. The study highlights the potential of microarray technology as an effective and efficient method for diagnosing purulent meningitis. The report also raises important questions about the limitations of the study, which include the impact of unknown microorganisms, the RNA (16S rRNA) ability to distinguish between closely related bacterial species, and the effects of lower CSF sensitivity on the results obtained.

Rapid pathogen identification using a novel microarray-based assay with purulent
meningitis in cerebrospinal fluid
Hou, Y., Zhang, X., Hou, X., Wu, R., Wang, Y., He, X., ... & Wang, Z. (2018). Rapid pathogen identification
using a novel microarray-based assay with purulent meningitis in cerebrospinal fluid. Scientific reports, 8(1),
15965.
Introduction: Meningitis inflammation is occasioned with a frequent presentation of
headaches, neck pain, and stiff neck symptoms. It has a high mortality incidence causing an
estimate of 420,000 deaths based on 2010 statistics and mortality of 303,000 deaths in the
year 2013. Purulent meningitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Its normal
clinical assessment entails usage of cerebrospinal fluid analyzed using CSF culture method.
Purulent meningitis is attributed to various bacterial organisms which include S. pneumonia,
B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and other bacteria. CSF culture
method often takes a long duration to ascertain positive and negative results. Infections link
to Central Nervous system can display false positive results in an instance of purulent
meningitis. Bacterial infections linked to CNS indicate increased levels of protein
concentration, low glucose levels, and other bacterial pathogens. Further drug-resistant
purulent meningitis has been identified. Other rapid methods of assessment are thus
paramount to clearly identify positive tests of purulent meningitis. This experimental study
assessed usage of microarray technology in assessing and detecting bacteria. Total of five pris
of primers and 156 oligonucleotides were used in this study. Methods: The study used key
parameters in the inclusion and exclusion criteria of patients and the inclusion of controls for
the study. The study used standard bacteria strains to evaluate the specificity of
oligonucleotides. The cerebrospinal fluid was obtained from the lumbar puncture. CSF
culture testing and microarray scanning was performed. Results & Analysis: 87.5% positive
tests using DNA microarray compared to 58.3% using CSF culture test was found on
purulent meningitis. Of the 58.3% had positive culture confirmed purulent meningitis while
37.5% not confirmed by culture tests but showed positive clinical signs and positive on DNA
microarray. Discussion: Various bacterial infections were noted. Gene copies assessment was
undertaken to assess specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy which showed that microarray is
specific to detection. The experimental study concluded that microarray method is an
effective method of assessing purulent meningitis.
Key questions
1. What is the fate of unknown microorganism in the analysis as they can be a factor of
creation in the final assessment sequencing such as saprotrophs, symbionts or secondary
colonizers in the final assessment of purulent meningitis?
2. How RNA (16S rRNA) was able to distinguish between closely related bacterial species
between geniuses and species of the bacterial species?
3. Could have the effect of lower CSF sensitivity be a factor of concern on results obtained?