title: Cerebrospinal fluid cultures and analysis.
abstract: Prompt and accurate diagnosis of acute central nervous system infections is of vital importance to the emergency physician. With the advent of modern antimicrobial therapy, the nearly uniformly fatal outcome of untreated bacterial meningitis can be reduced substantially. Proper test selection is crucial in arriving at a correct and timely diagnosis. A variety of tests are currently available for evaluation of the patient with an acute central nervous system infection. We review the current state of the art in central nervous system testing. Cost considerations and an algorithm for efficient selection of appropriate tests are presented.
mesh_terms: D000165:Acridine Orange; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002452:Cell Count; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000165:Acridine Orange