A Breakthrough in Meningitis Detection

A new,rapid test for bacterial meningitis,costing less than $6 and delivering results within 30 minutes,has been developed by researchers at Amsterdam UMC. This innovative method, utilizing equipment already available in most hospitals, promises to significantly improve diagnostic speed and patient outcomes.

The Danger of Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe and life-threatening infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The disease progresses rapidly, making timely diagnosis critical. One in six patients dies, explains Matthijs Brouwer, a researcher and neurologist at Amsterdam UMC.

the challenge lies in the disease’s initial presentation. Patients often suffer from headache, high fever and a stiff neck, Brouwer notes. These symptoms, while indicative, can be associated with other conditions, delaying accurate diagnosis and treatment.

The New Test: A Game Changer

The Amsterdam UMC initiated the use of this rapid test a year ago,focusing on quickly identifying the bacterial variant of meningitis.The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe, are highly promising.

The test analyzes cerebrospinal fluid, obtained through a lumbar puncture, for the presence of a specific protein. You can only determine the disease by examining the brain fluid, Brouwer explains. With the new test we measure the so-called CRP protein in the brain fluid,so you can almost certainly say whether it is bacterial meningitis.

How the Test Works

The test measures the concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the cerebrospinal fluid. While CRP levels are commonly assessed in blood tests to detect bacterial infections, analyzing it in brain fluid provides a more direct and accurate indication of bacterial meningitis.

The Amsterdam UMC performs approximately 30,000 CRP blood tests annually. By adapting this existing technology to analyze brain fluid, they achieved a significant breakthrough in meningitis diagnosis. Additional research in Denmark has corroborated these positive results.

impact and Future Implications

The rapid turnaround time and low cost of the test make it a highly practical solution for hospitals. because with the new test we use the equipment that is already in the laboratory, we already have a result within half an hour and we can adjust the treatment accordingly, Brouwer states. Moreover, it is indeed a vrey cheap test, from 3 to 5 euros.

Brouwer believes this new approach has the potential to transform clinical practice. The faster the diagnosis is made, the more limited the damage of bacterial meningitis, he concludes.