Immunodiagnosis of bacterial meningitis.

ABSTRACT

The quest for the search of rapid, cheap, easy to perform and highly sensitive and specific tests has resulted into the introduction and application of various new tests for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Most of these tests are based on immunological principles, viz. counter-immunoelectrophoresis, latex agglutination test, co-agglutination, radio-immunoassay, haemagglutination inhibition as well as study of immune profile of cerebrospinal fluid. Apart from these certain non-immunological tests viz. Limulus amoebecyte lysate test, gas liquid chromatography, nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction test have also been evaluated to make the laboratory diagnosis of this important clinical entity rapid and more reliable. These tests have been discussed and their current status presented.