Anti-purified protein derivative cell-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a sensitive method for early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis.

A cell-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was developed for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis by determining anti-purified protein derivative antibody production by cells derived from cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood. Of 20 patients with clinical histories and CSF findings suggestive of tuberculous meningitis, 18 showed high production of anti-purified protein derivative immunoglobulin antibody from CSF-derived lymphocytes, while none of the controls showed such response.