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Determination of Neisseria meningitis antigens in cerebrospinal fluid

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024

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Of great importance for the early diagnosis of meningococcal infection is a study of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with meningeal symptoms for the detection of Neisseria meningitis antigens . For these purposes, many diagnostic test systems are being manufactured. At the heart of the test systems is a latex test. If there are antigens of meningococci in the cerebrospinal fluid, the latex test becomes positive, the result can be obtained within 15-30 minutes (sensitivity and specificity - about 90%).

Diagnostic tests based on the ELISA method for the detection of meningococcal antigens in CSF have a higher sensitivity (more than 80%) and specificity (more than 95%) than latex tests.

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