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Isolating Central Nervous System Tissues and Associated Meninges for the Downstream Analysis of Immune cells
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Immunochromatography in CSF improves data on surveillance of S. pneumoniae meningitis in India

Yuvaraj Jayaraman1, Sanjay Mehendale1, Ranjith Jayaraman2

  • 1ICMR, National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Journal of Infection and Public Health
|April 3, 2018
PubMed

Insights

A rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) significantly outperformed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture for detecting Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of childhood meningitis in India. This diagnostic tool is vital for accurate etiological diagnosis and effective treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric infectious diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Diagnostic test development

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a primary cause of bacterial meningitis in children in India.
  • Accurate diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is crucial for timely treatment and prevention.
  • The Binax NOW immunochromatographic test (ICT) detects S. pneumoniae antigens in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the performance of the ICT test for diagnosing S. pneumoniae meningitis in Indian children.
  • To compare the diagnostic yield of ICT with conventional CSF culture.

Main Methods:

  • CSF samples from 2081 children with suspected bacterial meningitis were tested using ICT.
  • Samples were collected from 11 sentinel surveillance sites in India between 2009 and 2016.
  • Concurrent CSF cultures were performed using standard microbiological techniques.

Main Results:

  • The ICT test detected S. pneumoniae three times more often than CSF culture.
  • The sensitivity of the ICT test was 100%, and its specificity was 95.3%.
  • The test demonstrated high accuracy regardless of prior antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions:

  • The rapid ICT test is highly effective for diagnosing S. pneumoniae meningitis in children.
  • This diagnostic method is particularly valuable in resource-limited settings with limited laboratory infrastructure.
  • The ICT test aids in accurate etiological diagnosis, informing treatment and prevention strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
BinaxIndiaPneumococcal meningitisRapid test

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