New Test for Bacterial Meningitis

A new antigen test uses cerebral spinal fluid to detect bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in 15 minutes. The test has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Bacterial meningitis is a potentially deadly infection often caused by S pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitides. Diagnosis and treatment of viral or bacterial meningitis requires patient input, clinical assessment, and reliable diagnostic tests. Although the viral form is rarely fatal, it is difficult to distinguish from the bacterial form because it has similar symptoms. The new test is an immuno-chromatographic test (ICT) called the Now Antigen Test. A urine test on the same platform had been previously cleared by the FDA for the diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia. The Now Antigen test was developed by Binax Inc. (Portland, ME, USA).

"The addition of this new application on a well established technology platform reaffirms Binax's commitment to manufacture and market superior rapid diagnostics to the medical industry.” Said Kelly Cullum, president and CEO of Binax.




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