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Unit Code 110250:
Neisseria meningitidis (Latex), Serum

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Useful For

Rapid screening for bacterial meningitis.

Clinical Information

Meningitis has a wide variety of potential causes, either infectious or

noninfectious. If bacterial meningitis is not treated promptly and

effectively, the disease is likely to be fatal. Many bacterial species

have been implicated in meningitis. Streptococcus group B and

Escherichia coli K1 are two of the most common causes of neonatal

sepsis. In older age groups the most common isolates are

Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria

meningitidis groups A, B, C, Y and W135.

Reference Values

Negative

Interpretation

A positive or negative result is not diagnostic for the presence or

absence of disease. This assay should not be substituted for

microbiological culture.

 

A positive result indicates the presence of Neisseria meningitidis

antigen but the result does not necessarily indicate the presence

of viable organisms.

 

False-negative test results may occur with specimens containing

levels of antigen below the limits of detection of this assay. Negative

results should be followed up with culture.  

Cautions

This blood test does not replace the need for spinal fluid culture. 

Meningitis may be caused by other bacterial, fungal, and viral

agents not covered by this test.

 

False-positive and false-negative results may occur.

Clinical Reference

Williams AJ, Nadel S; Bacterial meningitis: current controversies in

approaches to treatment. CNS Drugs 2001; 15:909-19.

 

Ichhpujani RL, Bhatia R; Immunodiagnosis of bacterial meningitis.

J Commun Dis 1984; 16:30-7.

Key