[Counter-immunoelectrophoresis in the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis by Diplococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae].

The presence of antigen of D. pneumoniae and H. influenzae was detected by counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) in 113 LCR of children with central nervous system (CNS) infection (17 viral, 70 bacterial and 6 tuberculous). From 41 normal children spinal fluid was obtained and used as control. Precipitation band was not observed in normal children cases of viral and tuberculosis meningitis. In 21 cases of bacterial meningitis, D. pneumoniae and H. influenzae was isolated in six cases each. In six cases of bacterial meningitis were positive both bacteriological study and CIE. In 49 cases in which culture was negative only 13 gave positive CIE. When other strains of bacteria were isolated, no positive band was detected with CIE. This technic was regarded as useful for detecting etiologic agent in purulent meningitis.