Multiple-Year Experience in the Diagnosis of Viral Central Nervous System Infections with a Panel of Polymerase Chain Reaction Assays for Detection of 11 Viruses

Abstract

The value of PCR in the diagnosis of viral infections has been established. PCR is of lower value in the detection of WNV in CNS, compared with serological testing, but is of greater value in the detection of other arboviruses, particularly viruses in the California serogroup. Medical chart reviews indicated that apparent CNS infection resolves in approximately 50% of cases.