Sumi, MGMathai, AReuben, SSarada, CRadhakrishnan, VVIndulakshmi, RSathish, MAjaykumar, RManju, YK2012-12-042012-12-042002DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE. 42; 1; 35-38http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0732-8893(01)00342-Xhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11821169https://dspace.sctimst.ac.in/handle/123456789/13The results of a Dot immunobinding assay (Dot Iba) for the detection of mycobacterial antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 45 patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) were compared with the results of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In eight patients with culture proven TBM, Dot-lba gave positive results, while PCR yielded positive results only in six patients. The overall sensitivities of Dot-lba and PCR in 37 patients with culture negative (probable) TBM were 75.67% and 40.5% respectively. Dot-lba, in contrast to PCR is a rapid and relatively easier method. More importantly, Dot-lba is suitable for the routine application for the laboratory diagnosis of TBM and therefore best suited to laboratories in the developing world. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.Laboratory Diagnosis