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.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Journal of Research in Medical Education & Ethics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.