II. Indications
- Meningitis evaluation in children over age 2 months and under age 19 years old
III. Contraindications: Exclusion Criteria
- Neurosurgical history
- Immunosuppression
- CSF RBC Count >0.1 x10^6/ul (>1000/ul)
- Antibiotic use in last 48 hours
- Purpura
IV. Criteria (1 point for each)
- CSF Gram Stain Positive for organisms
- CSF Protein >79 mg/dl
- Seizure related to current episode
- Peripheral Absolute Neutrophil Count > 10,000 cells/mm3
- CSF Absolute Neutrophil Count >1000 cells/mm3
V. Efficacy
- Test Sensitivity: 99%
- Test Specificity: 63%
VI. Interpretation
- Positive if presence of any of above (1 or more points)
- Suggests higher likelihood of Bacterial Meningitis
- Negative if all criteria are absent
- Suggests very low risk of Bacterial Meningitis (<0.1%)