Determination of Viral Meningitis agents in Outbreak in Yasuj City by Quantitative PCR Assay

Background and Objectives: Determination of the primary cause of viral meningitis causing outbreaks is through valuable information in the prevention and management of the patients and may be helpful in respective healthcare management and decisions. This study aimed to determine the viral meningitis agents associated with outbreak occurred in Yasuj city, using quantitative PCR assays. Material and Methods: one hundred four CSF samples from 104 patients with aseptic meningitis-associated clinical signs were collected. 200 μl CSF specimens were prepared for DNA and RNA viral genome extraction each and then subjected to diagnostic Taq-man real time PCR assays.Results: the patients were children of 1month to 14 years of age. Majority of patients had fever, headache, vomiting and neck stiffness. Laboratory and csf analysis tests were in favor of viral meningitis pattern. In the majority patients who were diagnosed with clinically aseptic meningitis, enterovirus as the most significant viral agent was detected in 53 (51%). But others were detected with mumps, HSV and VZV as the endemic causes of viral meningitis in 6 (5.7%), 6 (5.7%) and 2(2%) of the affected patients. Measles and rubella were not detected in any patients. These results revealed that 2 HSV and 1 VZV affected patients were co-infected with enteroviruses. The patients were with relatively variable viral load results without any sequels. Conclusions: The present research showed that enterovirus is the main predominant agent of aseptic meningitis outbreak in Yasuj city confirmed by Quantitative PCR assay .