The enzymatic assay was not sensitive nor spesific for the test.

A new enzymatic assay was developed by NMD Diagnostics for rapid diagnosis of Enteroviral CNS infection. This study will compare this assay to RT-PCR, by testing human CSF samples taken from children at the ER who are undergoing a spinal tap due to suspicion of meningitis.

MND's new enzymatic assay is based on the detection of a specific viral enzyme through the detection of its enzymatic reaction. The detection of a specific enzymatic reaction is indicative to the presence of the specific virus in a biological specimen. This study will compare this diagnostic assay to RT-PCR for diagnosis of enteroviral infection in cerebrospinal fluid. CSF samples will be taken from children undergoing a spinal tap at the pediatric ER due to a suspicion of meningitis. A total of 100 samples will be collected, from children 0-16 years old who's parents agreed on participation in the study. A comparison of the enzymatic assay to RT-PCR as well as calibration and validation of the new assay will be done with the harvested samples, for a rapid and accurate identification of Enterovirus in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Inclusion Criteria:

• any child undergoing a spinal tap
• parents agreed on participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• refusal to participate in the study

children age 0-16 years who undergo a spinal tap at the pediatric ER due to suspected meningitis.