Diagnostico de la meningitis tuberculosa a traves del enzimoinmunoensayo (Elisa), utilizando PPD como antigeno / Diagnosis of the tuberculosis meningeal through of the Elisa enzyme immunoassay using PPd as antigen

ABSTRACT

Tuberculous meningitis (TM) is a serious disease which requires early diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis based on clinical and epidemiological data is difficult and bacteriological confirmation done by cultura is delayed. The method used for diagnostic of TM was detection of-PPD antibodies in samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by the ELISA technic. Seventy seven CSF samples were examined and divided into three groups TM confirmed by culture (Group IA), clinical suspicion of TM (Group IB), other infections of the central nervous sistem (Group II) and controls with normal CSF (Group III). The test was 93.3 cents sensitivity and 94,2 cents specificity, positive predictive value of 82,4 cents and negative predictive value of 98.0 cents. This method is a useful aid to diagnosis of TM when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed by conventional methods. More specific and sensitive test must be developed particulary for use in immunodepressed patients