Role of Immunological Test in Rapid Diagnosis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Introduction:Conventional diagnostic methods for bacterial meningitis are frequently not rapid or sensitive enough to guide initial antimicrobial therapy. As bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency, rapid diagnosis and prompt treatment remains the cornerstone in the management of patients. Therefore, the study was carried out for bacterial antigen detection by Latex particle agglutination test and compared with culture and Gram stain.Methods: The study, carried out for a period for one year, included 85 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of clinically suspected meningitis cases in children below 5 years. CSF samples were tested by Latex particle agglutination test and were compared with culture and Gram stain.Results: Of the 85 cases studied, there were 32 laboratory confirmed cases. Of these, 27 cases (84.37 %) were culture positive, 18 cases (56.25 %) were Gram stain positive, and 10 cases (31.25 %) were Latex particle agglutination test positive. Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common organism identified by the three tests.Conclusion: Antigen detection by Latex particle agglutination is a useful adjunct to routine Gram stain and can detect non-viable bacteria in CSF, thus permitting the detection of bacterial antigen in patients pretreated with antibiotics when culture is negative.