diagnosis can reduce the mortality as well as post meningitic neurological sequelae, which are more
common in children and immunocompromised
patients. Currently, the diagnosis of meningitis is
mostly done by Gram stain and culture though the
outcome is affected in many clinical situations by the use of antibiotics before lumbar puncture. CSFserology
for detection of bacterial antigens is not
widely practiced because of its lower sensitivity and
specificity compared to Gram stain and culture2
.