Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30572843›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2018

New molecular tools for meningitis diagnostics in Ethiopia - a necessary step towards improving antimicrobial prescription.

Guro K Bårnes, Esayas Kebede Gudina, Melkamu Berhane, Alemseged Abdissa, Getnet Tesfaw, Gemeda Abebe, Siri Laura Feruglio, Dominique A Caugant, Hannah Joan Jørgensen

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 27 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
27citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.7field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

27 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 36 citations in OpenAlex.

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  7. Molecular Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Ethiopia: A Narrative Review of Current Evidence and Implementation Gaps.The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Guro K BårnesDivision for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Esayas Kebede GudinaInstitute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Melkamu BerhaneInstitute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Alemseged AbdissaInstitute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Getnet TesfawInstitute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Gemeda AbebeInstitute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Siri Laura FeruglioDivision for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Dominique A CaugantDivision for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. dominique.caugant@fhi.no.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2765-9844
Hannah Joan JørgensenDivision for Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Jimma University · ETNorwegian Institute of Public Health · NO

Funding

the Research Council of Norway 220829
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMeningitis remains a top cause of premature death and loss of disability-adjusted life years in low-income countries. In resource-limited settings, proper laboratory diagnostics are often scarce and knowledge about national and local epidemiology is limited. Misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment and overuse of antibiotics are potential consequences, especially for viral meningitis.

methodsA prospective study was conducted over three months in a teaching hospital in Ethiopia with limited laboratory resources. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with suspected meningitis were analysed using a multiplex PCR-based system (FilmArray, BioFire), in addition to basic routine testing with microscopy and culture. Clinical data, as well as information on treatment and outcome were collected.

resultsTwo hundred and eighteen patients were included; 117 (54%) neonates (0-29 days), 63 (29%) paediatrics (1 month-15 years) and 38 (17%) adults (≥16 years). Of 218 CSF samples, 21 (10%) were PCR positive; 4% in neonates, 14% in paediatrics and 18% in adults. Virus was detected in 57% of the PCR positive samples, bacteria in 33% and fungi in 10%. All CSF samples that were PCR positive for a bacterial agent had a white cell count ≥75 cells/mm

conclusionsA rapid molecular diagnostic system was successfully implemented in an Ethiopian setting without previous experience of molecular diagnostics. Viral meningitis was diagnosed for the first time in routine clinical practice in Ethiopia, and viral agents were the most commonly detected microorganisms in CSF. This study illustrates the potential of rapid diagnostic tests for reducing antibiotic usage in suspected meningitis cases. However, the cost of consumables for the molecular diagnostic system used in this study limits its use in low-income countries.

Indexed as

Molecular Diagnostic TechniquesMultiplex Polymerase Chain ReactionPractice Patterns, Physicians'AdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnti-Infective AgentsChildChild, PreschoolDiagnosis, DifferentialEthiopiaFemaleHealth ResourcesHospitals, TeachingHumansAnti-Infective AgentsBacterial meningitisCerebrospinal fluidFilmArrayMultiplex PCRViral meningitis

Identifiers

PMID30572843
PMCPMC6302510
OpenAlexW2903626816

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.