Lack of sensitivity of the latex agglutination test to detect bacterial antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with culture-negative meningitis

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Aug 1;33(3):406-8. doi: 10.1086/321885. Epub 2001 Jun 21.

Abstract

For culture-negative meningitis, use of the latex agglutination test for detection of bacterial antigen in the CSF has a sensitivity of only 7%. Routine use of the latex agglutination test may not contribute to the management of suspected acute bacterial meningitis, since patients are treated on the basis of their clinical presentations and CSF findings.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Latex Fixation Tests*
  • Meningitis / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Meningitis / microbiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial