Investigations

Consider latex agglutination tests for diagnosing meningococcal, pneumococcal or H. influenzae b infections ^c

Why?

Latex agglutination tests can help diagnose specific types of bacterial meningitis

Patient	Target Disorder and Reference Standard	Diagnostic Test	LR+ (95% CI)	LR- (95% CI)
suspected meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia c	meningococcal infection (CSF or blood culture, serology for N. Meningitidis)	agglutination using test card	- (3.0 to infinity)	0.69 (0.57 to 0.83)
		agglutination following ultrasound	9.4 (2.4 to 36)	0.38 (0.26 to 0.56)

 

Latex agglutination tests can help diagnose specific types of bacterial meningitis

Patient	Target Disorder and Reference Standard	Diagnostic Test	LR+ (95% CI)	Post-test Probability	LR- (95% CI)	Post-test Probability
children with suspected septicaemia or meningitis c (pre-test probability: 18%)	infection with Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae or Haemophilus influenzae (culture)	latex agglutination tests	29 (16 to 54)	86%	0.0 (0.0 to 0.47)	0.0%