title: Conventional and molecular techniques for the laboratory diagnosis of infections of the central nervous system.
abstract: This article discusses general principles of laboratory diagnosis, detection of microbial antigens, specific chemical reactants associated with inflammation of the CNS, and diagnostic tests in development for the laboratory diagnosis of infectious meningitis.
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001424:Bacterial Infections; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000276:immunology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D009181:Mycoses; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D001618:beta-Lactamases