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Journals / Experimed / 2026 / Volume: 16 Issue: 1

Rational Use of Syndromic Molecular Testing in the Diagnosis of Meningitis/Encephalitis: A Two-Year Laboratory Experience

Buket Baddal(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, DEPARTMENT OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY)0000-0003-3319-2179
Aysegul Bostancı(Near East University, DESAM Research Institute, North Cyprus)0000-0003-4319-9032
Tutku Aksoy(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY, HEALTH SERVICES VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, LABORATORY ASSISTANT TRAINING AND VETERINARY LABORATORY SERVICES PR. (FULL SCHOLARSHIP))0009-0000-0106-5402
Yaren Doğramacıoğlu(NEAR EAST UNIVERSITY, HEALTH SERVICES VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, LABORATORY ASSISTANT TRAINING AND VETERINARY LABORATORY SERVICES PR. (FULL SCHOLARSHIP))0009-0002-1887-2678
Journal
Experimed
Pages
—
Publication Date
2026-08-27
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The overall positivity rate was 19.3% (n=11).

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: Syndromic diagnostic testing is a relatively novel approach for the rapid diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infections.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected between December 2022 and December 2024 were analyzed using the QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis (QS-ME) panel kit.
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Conclusion & Impact:The overall positivity rate was 19.3% (n=11).
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:2022 Verileri
⚙️Variables:meningitis panel · syndromic testing · molecular testing

Abstract

Objective: Syndromic diagnostic testing is a relatively novel approach for the rapid diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rational use of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved meningitis/encephalitis panel for detecting CNS infections in critically ill patients. Materials and Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected between December 2022 and December 2024 were analyzed using the QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis (QS-ME) panel kit. Patient demographics, clinical symptoms, and biochemical CSF parameters were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The study included 57 patients (34 male, 23 female) with a mean age of 48.9 ± 22.5 years. The overall positivity rate was 19.3% (n=11). Pathogens detected were varicella zoster virus (n=3), herpes simplex virus 1 (n=2), Streptococcus pneumoniae (n=2), Haemophilus influenzae (n=1), enterovirus (n=1), herpes simplex virus 2 (n=1), and human herpes virus 6 (n=1). The most frequent symptoms were headache and fever (54.5%, n=6), followed by loss of consciousness (45.5%, n=5), and vomiting (36.4%, n=4). Importantly, the positivity rates varied by department with 33.3% pediatrics, 30.0% infectious disease, 26.1% neurology, and 4.8% from the intensive care unit. Conclusion: To ensure cost effectiveness, QS-ME panel requests should be guided by clinical symptoms, biochemical CSF findings, and mandatory infectious disease consultation.

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Cite This Article

Baddal, B., Bostancı, A., Aksoy, T., Doğramacıoğlu, Y. (2026). Rational Use of Syndromic Molecular Testing in the Diagnosis of Meningitis/Encephalitis: A Two-Year Laboratory Experience. Experimed, Volume: 16 Issue: 1. https://doi.org/10.26650/experimed.1752457

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