title: [The rapid detection and specific identification of bacterial antigens by electro-immunodiffusion in 80 cases of purulent meningitis (author's transl)].
abstract: The cerebrospinal fluid of 120 subjects, 80 of whom were suffering from a purulent meningitis, were examined comparatively by classical bacteriological techniques (direct examination and culture) and by electro-immunodiffusion. This procedure makes it possible to detect not only viable bacteria, but also capsular polysaccharide antigens. It revealed the diagnosis in 96.9% of cases of meningococcal, pneumococcal and Haemophilus meningitis, as against 80.3% positive results using classical bacteriological techniques, for the same organisms. Electro-immunodiffusion provides a rapid answer (20 minutes) and, amongst other things, makes it possible: - to confirm the serotype or capsular type within the species, - to determine the aetiological diagnosis in certain types of meningitis where diagnosis is rendered difficult by blind antibiotic therapy, - to quantify and follow over a period of time the levels of polysaccharide antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum of the patients. The sensitivity and specificity of electro-immunodiffusion render it a technique of the future in the diagnosis of purulent meningitis. By virtue of its simplicity, it should become a routine examination.
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000175:diagnosis; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000175:diagnosis; D012703:Serotyping
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial
vernacular_title: Détection rapide et identification spécifique des antigènes bactériens par électro-immunodiffusion dans 80 méningites purulentes.