Diagnosis of neonatal enterovirus infection by polymerase chain reaction.

A 5-hour colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was more sensitive than viral culture in identifying viral infection in initial serum (13/16 vs 5/16; p = 0.008) and urine (10/16 vs 5/16; p = 0.2) specimens from 16 enterovirus-infected newborn infants, and remained more sensitive throughout their illnesses. Combined sensitivity of serum and urine PCR was 14 of 16 (88%). Results of all acute-phase PCR assays of serum and urine from four neonates with cultures negative for enterovirus were also negative. PCR assay of serum and urine facilitates rapid, accurate diagnosis of neonatal enterovirus infections.