Etiology of Central Nervous System Infections in a Rural Area of Nepal Using Molecular Approaches.

The etiology of infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in Nepal often remains unrecognized because of underdeveloped laboratory facilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the etiology of CNS infections in a rural area of Nepal using molecular methods. From November 2014 to February 2016, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from 176 consecutive patients presenting at United Mission Hospital in Tansen, Nepal, with symptoms of possible CNS infection.

Real-time multiplex PCR for direct detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples enriched by broth culture.

A real-time multiplex PCR using the orfX and staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec of Staphylococcus aureus was developed. The aim was to achieve a rapid and sensitive high-throughput method for direct detection of heterogeneous methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in clinical samples, present in a low-endemic population, such as in Sweden.