Reagent strips in the evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels

The value of Visidex IIR, Haemo-Glukotest 20-800RR, MultistixR and DextrostixR reagent strips--the latter alone or in combination with a glucometer--in the determination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose levels has been evaluated and compared with the results of a standard glucose oxidase method (Beckman). Fifty-four CSF specimens were evaluated and the closest correlation (r = 0.8002) obtained by the use of DextrostixR in combination with a glucometer. All four methods detected two cases with very low CSF glucose values (less than 1.5 mmol/l) but confusing results were obtained in three cases having slightly reduced CSF glucose values (2.0-2.2 mmol/l).