Direct antigen testing on cerebrospinal fluid can be of value when

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Direct antigen testing on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be particularly valuable when there is a history of antibiotic use prior to the collection of the CSF. Antibiotics can reduce the number of viable bacteria in the CSF, making it difficult to detect the pathogen through culture methods. However, antigen tests can detect bacterial components even in the absence of viable bacteria, providing a diagnostic clue even after antibiotic treatment has begun.

Direct Antigen Testing on Cerebrospinal Fluid Can Be of Value