Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of mycobacterial antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid in tuberculous meningitis.

Fifty-three cerebrospinal fluid specimens from meningitis patients were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of mycobacterial antigens. After heating at 56 degrees C for 1 hour to eliminate nonspecific interference, all 22 tuberculous meningitis (TBM) specimens had an optical density of greater than 0.05 (sensitivity 100%). Six out of 31 non-TBM cases gave false-positive results (specificity 81%).