SEROTYPES OF STREPTOCOCCUS-PNEUMONIAE CAUSING MENINGITIS IN SOUTHERN INDIA - USE OF NEW DIRECT LATEX AGGLUTINATION ANTIGEN-DETECTION TESTS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

The utility of a new latex agglutination (LA) test to directly determi ne serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was assessed in prospective evaluation at a referral hospital in south ern India, Samples from 18 ill patients with Gram-positive organisms i n CSF were tested. The presence of c polysaccharide or specific seroty pe antigen (types 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 14, 18, 19, and 23) of s. pneumon iae was detected by slide LA test. Pneumococcal antigen was detected i n 17 (94%) of 18 CSF specimens; in 14 (78%) the serotype was determine d directly. Serotypes 1, 5, 6, 19, 23, 7, 10, 34, and 38 were found in these patients. A quellung test of the cultured isolates confirmed th e serotypes. Information regarding the serotype distribution of pneumo cocci in varied geographic locations is important for the design and e valuation of pneumococcal vaccines. The slide LA tests seemed useful i n detecting S. pneumoniae antigens and in determining the serotype, an d have promise in simplifying the gathering of serotype data.