The bromide partition test and CSF adenosine deaminase activity in the diagnosis of tuberculosis meningitis in children.

Bromide partition tests were performed on 58 children with suspected tuberculous meningitis (TBM). CSF adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) was measured at the same time. Four of the 33 patients with a final diagnosis of TBM had false-negative bromide partition ratios and 5 had false-negative CSF ADA levels. One of the 25 patients in whom TBM was excluded had a false-positive ratio and 4 had false-positive CSF ADA levels. The difference between the two tests was not significant. Both provide valuable evidence for or against a diagnosis of TBM.