Recovery of pathogenic bacteria from cerebrospinal fluid.

We studied the conditions necessary for optimal recovery of bacteria from cerebrospinal fluid. Our results indicated that Streptopcoccus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae can be quantitatively recovered in the sediment after centrifugation at 1,500 X g for 15 min. Equivalent numbers of bacteria were recovered by centrifugation or filtration of antibiotic-free cerebrospinal fluid; however, bacterial recovery by filtration was less effective with antibiotic-supplemented cerebrospinal fluid.