[Determination of tuberculostearic acid for diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis with negative culture of tubercle bacillus]

• Abstract: Tuberculostearic acid, a structural component of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, was identified by gas chromatography in cerebrospinal fluid from 44 out of 59 patients with tuberculous meningitis. Tuberculostearic acid was found in the cerebrospinal fluid of 5 patients out of 112 with non-tuberculous meningitis or non-infectious disorders. The results showed the test had a sensitivity of 74.6% and a specificity of 95.9%. Detection of tuberculostearic acid in cerebrospinal fluid is a rapid, sensitive and specific test for tuberculous meningitis.
• Authors: J Kang, M Bao, J Liang (Affiliation: General Hospital of Shenyang PLA.)
• Journal: Zhonghua jie he he hu xi za zhi = Zhonghua jiehe he huxi zazhi = Chinese journal of tuberculosis and respiratory diseases (Zhonghua Jie He He Hu Xi Za Zhi) Vol. 18 Issue 6 Pg. 340-3, 382 (Dec 1995) ISSN: 1001-0939 [Print] CHINA
• PMID: 8762491 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Stearic Acids
• tuberculostearic acid

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chromatography, Gas (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (chemistry, isolation & purification)
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Stearic Acids (cerebrospinal fluid, isolation & purification)
• Tuberculosis, Meningeal (diagnosis, microbiology)