A Comparative Diagnostic Study of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Three hundred and three cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from six hospitals in Iraq from patients (children up to 5 years old) who were suspected to be infected with microbial meningitis during the period from April 2010 to May 2011 , then submitted to The Central Public Health Laboratory- Baghdad . Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was considered when clinical presentation and examination were suggestive, with increased interest of Streptococcus pneumoniae as important pathogen causing pneumococcal meningitis in children. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were transferred in Trans Isolate medium to The Central Public Health Laboratory- Baghdad, then cultured on Blood and Chocolate agar. Conventional identification methods were done which included : (optochin sensitivity test, bile solubility test, Gram stain , human blood haemolysis , API 20 Strep , Latex Agglutination Test) . Molecular identification was done by DNA extraction from Streptococcus pneumoniae by different methods , then PCR.