[Impact of introducing an enterovirus polymerase chain reaction in the management of aseptic meningitis]. / Impacto de la implantación de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa a enterovirus en el manejo de la meningitis aséptica.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of aseptic meningitis, based on an enterovirus PCR (EV-PCR) in cerebrospinal fluid, is a rapid and sensitive test. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of introducing EV-PCR on the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay in aseptic meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study that included children with aseptic meningitis during one year. The patients prior to the introduction of the test formed the control group. RESULTS: The performance of the PCR test was associated with less use of antibiotics compared to the control group (16.2% vs 41.4%, P=.029) and with fewer days of administration (.54 vs. 2 days, P=.014). A non-significant decrease in length of stay (3.57 vs. 4.21 days, P=.376) was also observed in the study group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the EV-PCR test decreases the use of antibiotics and hospital length of stay.