Rapid Detection of Gram-Negative Bacterial Meningitis by the Limulus Lysate Test

Abstract

The limulus lysate test was evaluated as a tool for the rapid diagnosis of gram-negative bacterial meningitis in 112 patients. Positive assays were obtained on all initial cerebrospinal-fluid specimens from 38 patients with culture-proved gram-negative bacterial meningitis. Gram stain demonstrated organisms in 25 of these specimens. Negative limulus assays were obtained on all samples from 74 patients with gram-positive bacterial meningitis, tuberculous meningitis, aseptic meningitis or meningeal leukemia, as well as patients without meningitis.