Evaluation of PCR using TRC(4) and IS6110 primers in detection of tuberculous meningitis.

We have evaluated a new set of primers (TRC(4)) in comparison with the IS6110 primers commonly used in PCR to detect tuberculous meningitis among children. The levels of concordance between the results of IS6110 PCR and TRC(4) PCR with cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with clinically confirmed tuberculous meningitis were 80 and 86%, respectively. Results with the two primer sets were concordant for 55 positive and 22 negative specimens (n = 98). We conclude that the sensitivity of PCR can be increased by using both IS6110 and TRC(4) primers.