How do you diagnose meningococcal meningitis?

Testing for meningococcal meningitis may include imaging techniques such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Other testing may include examination of the blood and/or skin. Diagnosis is made by laboratory examination of the cerebrospinal fluid that often reveals the presence of bacterial meningitis.

What lab tests would be used to determine meningococcal meningitis?

Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you’ll need a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.

Which media is used for CSF culture?

Enriched broth medium is routinely used as a supplement for agar plate culture of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To assess the clinical utility of broth cultures, 151 consecutive CSF bacterial and fungal isolates obtained from 91 patients were retrospectively reviewed for the effect of results on treatment.

What are the hallmark signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis?

Symptoms may include:

• Fever and chills.
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Vomiting.
• Cold hands and feet.
• Severe aches or pain in the muscles, joints, chest, or abdomen (belly)
• Rapid breathing.
• Diarrhea.
• In the later stages, a dark purple rash (see photos)

What serological infection confirms the diagnosis of meningococcal infection?

Meningococcal disease is normally suspected on clinical grounds and is confirmed by isolation of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria from blood or cerebrospinal fluid or, more recently, by serology or PCR of cerebrospinal fluid.

What blood test is ordered for meningitis?

A complete blood count (CBC) or total protein count check for heightened levels of certain cells and proteins that can suggest a meningitis infection. A procalcitonin blood test can also help your doctor tell if an infection is more likely caused by either bacteria or a virus.

Which of the following tests is the most reliable for determining the causative agent in a case of meningitis?

An accurate and rapid diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis is essential for a good outcome. The gold-standard test for diagnosis is CSF analysis. Gram staining of CSF reveals bacteria in about 50 to 80 % of cases and cultures are positive in at best 80 % of cases.

What do microbiologist check for in CSF fluid?

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture is a laboratory test to look for bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the fluid that moves in the space around the spinal cord. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from injury.

How do you perform a CSF exam?

When the area has become numb, a special needle is inserted through the skin, between two vertebrae, and into your spinal canal. An “opening” or initial pressure reading of the CSF is obtained. The doctor then collects a small amount of CSF in multiple sterile vials.