Objectives:

the differential diagnosis of meningitis is based on the patient's clinical presentation, laboratory tests, and other factors. This study aims to determine the correlation between CSF cellularity in cytochemical examination and pathogen detection by multiplex RT-PCR and microbial culture from 2023 to the first half of 2025 at the Viedma Clinical Hospital.

Methods:

a retrospective, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted. A total of 556 CSF samples were analyzed using multiplex RT-PCR for viral and bacterial detections. The results were correlated with the results of their respective cytochemical tests and bacteriological cultures.

Results:

Of the 556 samples analyzed, 109 were detected and 447 were not; 83.5% detected viruses, and their respective cytochemical counts ranged from 5 to 700 leukocytes/pl. The most frequently detected virus was EBV, followed by CMV. Bacteria such as S. pneumoniae were only detected in cytochemical samples with a predominance of PMN leucocytes. Coinfections occurred more frequently in samples from immunocompromised patients, such as AIDS. The associations observed were EBV associated with S. pneumoniae or C. neoformans .

Conclusions:

this study sheds light on the importance of correctly using different laboratory tests for diagnosing meningitis, with the goal of shortening response times, reducing hospital stays, and decreasing the use of antibiotics.

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