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Turner et al. BMC Infectious Diseases (2017) 17:806 DOI 10.1186/s12879-017-2915-6
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Open Access
The aetiologies of central nervous system infections in hospitalised Cambodian children Paul Turner1,2,3* , Kuong Suy1, Le Van Tan4, Pora Sar1, Thyl Miliya1, Nguyen Thi Thu Hong4, Vu Thi Ty Hang4, Nguyen Thi Han Ny4, Sona Soeng1, Nicholas P. J. Day2,3, H. Rogier van Doorn3,4 and Claudia Turner1,2,3
Abstract Background: Central nervous system (CNS) infections are an important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. The aetiologies of these potentially vaccine-preventable infections have not been well established in Cambodia. Methods: We did a one year prospective study of children hospitalised with suspected CNS infection at Angkor Hospital for Children, Siem Reap. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens (CSF) samples underwent culture, multiplex PCR and serological analysis to identify a range of bacterial and viral pathogens. Viral metagenomics was performed on a subset of pathogen negative specimens. Results: Between 1st October 2014 and 30th September 2015, 284 analysable patients were enrolled. The median patient age was 2.6 years; 62.0% were aged
