[Culture-negative bacterial meningitis diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction].

Aetiological diagnosis of patients with bacterial meningitis and possible secondary complications is crucial for the implementation of optimal treatment. Molecular biological methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be used. We here present a clinical case in which the diagnosis of pneumococcal meningitis with a subsequent complication in the form of a secondary cerebral abscess was primarily made by real-time PCR after treatment had been initiated.