title: [Evaluation of the search for soluble antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid from 31 cases of purulent meningitis in children].
abstract: Soluble antigens were looked for in 31 cases of purulent meningitis in children aged one day to 16 years. The latex technique was used in this study. Negative cases were controlled by counter-immune electrophoresis and by ELISA. From the results of our study and after a review of the literature, it appears that the latex technique is the best method at present to identify soluble antigens in purulent meningitis. This technique is better than a direct microscopic examination (p less than 0.02), especially in cases of meningitis due to H. influenzae and to S. pneumoniae. Latex technique kits used in the identification of type B meningococcus should be improved, and additional kits are needed if a wider range of bacteria are to be identified.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003378:Counterimmunoelectrophoresis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
vernacular_title: Evaluation de la recherche des antigènes solubles dans le liquide céphalo-rachidien de 31 cas de méningites purulentes de l'enfant.