A latex agglutination test for meningococcal infection diagnosis

Immunodiagnosis is very useful especially in cases where bacteriological diagnosis cannot be made because of the high sensitivity of Neisseria meningitidis. A sensitive reaction is described for the detection of antimeningococcal antibodies using as antigen a latex suspension specifically sensitized with saline extracts from N. meningitidis groups A, B and C. The results prove the genus, species and serotype specificity of this reaction. The method is quick and easy to carry out, even in laboratories which do not possess elaborate equipment. The latex-antigen has the advantages of stability and possibility of standardization.