[The latex agglutination test for the diagnosis of meningococcal A and C, pneumococcal and H. influenzae b meningitis. A study of 920 purulent cerebrospinal fluids (author's transl)].

The cerebrospinal fluids of 920 Senegalese patients with purulent meningitis wee examined by latex particle agglutination (LA) and the results were compared with those of conventional bacteriology and of counter immuno electro phoresis (C.I.E.). For all three organisms taken globally, CSF culture was positive in 72.7% of the patients, the LA test in 78.8% and the C.I.E. test in 89.0%. The LA test was positive in 17.9% of subjects with negative CSF culture. When the results wee analysed for each organism separately, the LA test was positive in 69.3%, 74.7% and 85.9% respectively of patients with meningococcal, pneumococcal and H. influenzae b meningitis. False agglutinations were found in 6.7% of meningitis due to other pathogens. Cross-reactions and autoagglutinations were rare (0.4% and 3.7% respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, simplicity and rapidity of the LA test make it extremely useful for the diagnosis of purulent meningitis, particularly in Africa.