Cerebrospinal Fluid Bacterial Antigen

Conclusions

May 2010

In conclusion, the findings of our large, retrospective study indicate that bacterial antigen testing provides no substantial benefit beyond Gram stain in screening for bacterial meningitis. Although results may have returned a faster result than culture in the Gram stain-negative cases, routine antibacterial treatment is recommended until all test results are back. This moderate benefit must be contrasted with the risk of a false sense of security with a false-negative bacterial antigen test, or the risk of a false-positive bacterial antigen test, which would complicate care decisions.

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• Introduction
• Bacterial Antigen Test (BAT)
• Bacterial Antigen Test (BAT)
• Study Overview
• Study Methods
• Study Methods
• Comparison of BAT and Gram Stain
• Cases With and Without Classic Bacterial Meningitis-Causing Organisms and Number Missed by BAT and Gram Stain
• Results
• Studies by Other Investigators
• Studies by Other Investigators
• Conclusions
• Acknowledgments
• References
• References
• Questions?