Use of latex agglutination testing in diagnosing pediatric meningitis.

BACKGROUND

Latex agglutination (LA) tests are ordered frequently on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) specimens obtained from pediatric patients to identify pathogenic bacteria as early as possible in an acute infection.

METHODS

Six hundred ten LA tests were performed on 176 patients suspected of having meningitis.

RESULTS

Five patients with meningitis had positive LA tests. We found that the CSF white blood cell (WBC) count, and differential were the best predictors of meningitis.

CONCLUSIONS

By limiting the use of LA tests to those patients having CSF with abnormal WBC counts or with positive Gram stains, the number of tests ordered would have been reduced. This practice would greatly reduce laboratory expense.