Real-time PCR Detection of the Most Common Bacteria and Viruses Causing Meningitis.

Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections require prompt diagnosis, as the clinical condition progresses rapidly and may lead to severe permanent sequelae or death. The causative agents include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. In this study, samples with the diagnosis of CNS infection based on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sent to us from other hospitals/labs, were studied by multiplex real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method.

Serum cardiac troponin T levels as an indicator of myocardial injury in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients.

Many studies in the literature have clearly shown the increase in creatine kinase-myocardial subfraction (CK-MB) levels and changes in electrocardiography (ECG) after stroke. However, the studies on cardiac troponin T (cTnT) which is more sensitive and specific to myocardium after stroke are relatively scarce. Moreover, its associations with volume of stroke lesions and type of stroke have not been investigated thoroughly.