Abstract

One hundred and seventeen specimens of cerebrospinal fluid from 94 patients were examined for the presence of pneumococcal and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens using counterimmunoelectrophoresis and coagglutination tests. The coagglutination method using Phadebact reagents was as sensitive as counterimmunoelectrophoresis, but culture was a more sensitive diagnostic procedure than either test. A meningococcus coagglutination reagent, included in a prototype meningitis diagnostic kit, was also found to be as sensitive as counterimmunoelectrophoresis when tested on culture-positive cerebrospinal fluid specimens. Coagglutination tests for the detection of bacterial antigen are useful supportive tests when used in conjunction with direct microscopy and culture for bacterial pathogens.