Ribosomal DNA assay of culture-negative Streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis.

Culture-negative bacterial meningitis with secondary complications remains a significant challenge. Optimal treatment requires identification of the infecting organism. While the gold standard for diagnosis remains cerebrospinal fluid culturing, a significant number of cultures remain negative despite clinical evidence of meningitis.

Postmortem intracranial neuropathology in children following cardiac transplantation.

At Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, the medical information of 405 pediatric patients who received orthotopic cardiac transplantation were reviewed. Of those who died (n=136), 86% (n=117) underwent postmortem examinations, and the brain was examined in 61% (n=82, male=39). The number and type of intracranial lesions present were compiled, and these were matched to underlying functional cardiac disease categories.