CSF culture and sensitivity test

CSF culture and sensitivity test is one of the important diagnostic tests for central nervous system (CNS) infections such as meningitis, encephalitis and meningo-enchepalitis. CSF culture and sensitivity test helps to detect the organism which causes central nervous system (CNS) infection and it also helps to identify the sensitivity pattern of the particular organism for antibiotics. Therefore CSF culture and sensitivity is important in the management of meningitis, encephalitis and meningo-enchephalitis.

Time period, culture medium and accuracy of the CSF culture and sensitivity test depend on the clinically suspected organisms.

Culture medium for CSF

Culture medium depends on the suspected organisms. Sheep blood agar (5%) or chocolate agar is the culture medium for Standard CSF bacterial culture. mannitol salt agar (MSA) which is selective for Gram-positive bacteria and differential for mannitol.

Results of CSF culture and sensitivity test

If the result is negative it means that no organism was found. Abnormal or positive results are recorded as follows;

1. bacterial meningitis with “aaa” organism and it sensitive to “sss” antibiotic