The value of latex agglutination test (LAT) in meningitis was assessed in 49 patients diagnosed as bacterial meningitis. It was positive in 7 of 16 cases of bacterial meningitis with positive culture. This was positive in three cases (19%) due to Haemophilus Influenza type b, two cases (13%) due to Nissseria meningitidis, and two cases due to Streptococcus group B.
It was positive in 9 of the 33 cases of meningitis under treatment with negative culture. It was 33.3% in Haemophilus Influenza type b, 33.3% in Streptococcus group B, 22.2% in Streptococcus pneumonia and 11.1% in Nissseria meningitides.
Gram stain was positive in 5 of th16 cases with positive culture (31%). It was positive in 7 of the 33 cases (21%) under treatment with negative culture.
LAT has correlated well with the culture, whereas Gram stain had low sensitivity. We can support the view that LAT was more valuable than Gram staining in partially treated meningitis and can recommend it routine use. It may, however be valuable if Gram staining does not identify an organism as a rapid method of the diagnosis. |
