| Abstract: | Modified technique of slide coagglutination test for detecting meningococcal group-specific antigens in the spinal fluid of patients with meningococcal meningitis has been developed. Precipitating meningococcal sera, groups A, C, X, Y, Z, were conjugated with formalin-treated staphylococcal cells, strain Cowan-I. To prevent nonspecific reactions, 5-minute boiling of the spinal fluid specimens is suggested. 111 specimens of spinal fluid were taken from 75 patients at different periods of the disease. All patients were administered antibiotics, and therefore the etiology of the disease was bacteriologically confirmed only in 31% of patients. Coagglutination test was positive in 56.7% of patients, the frequency of positive results reaching 71% during the first 4 days of the disease. The specimens of spinal fluid taken from the control group of patients yielded not more than 2% of the positive results. Coagglutination test is recommended as a rapid test for diagnosing meningococcal meningitis. |
