Study of Screening for Increased CSF Total Protein During Bacterial Meningitis by Brillouin Scattering (CAT#: STEM-ST-0095-YJL)

Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a disease of pronounced clinical significance, especially in the developing world. Immediate treatment with antibiotics is essential, and no single test can provide a conclusive diagnosis. It is well established that elevated total protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is associated with bacterial meningitis. <br />Bacterial meningitis is a challenging diagnosis for most physicians due to the non-specificity of symptoms, particularly in small children. Even with early diagnosis and treatment, a 10% mortality rate persists, often within a day or two of symptom onset. If no treatment is available, as is the case in many parts of the developing world (where meningitis is up to ten times more prevalent), the mortality rate increases to as high as 80%.