A 25 year male presented with high grade fever, headache, neck stiffness, on examination found to have neck rigidity, kernig's sign positive, csf analysis showed neutrophilic predominance, low glucose and limulus amebocyte lysate assay was positive. Which of the following is the likely pathogen?
High-Yield Explanation
The Limulus amebocyte lysate assay is a rapid diagnostic test for the detection of gram-negative endotoxin in CSF and thus for making a diagnosis of gram-negative bacterial meningitis. The test has a specificity of 85-100% and a sensitivity approaching 100%. Thus, a positive Limulus amebocyte lysate assay occurs in viually all patients with gram-negative bacterial meningitis, but false positives may occur. Ref Harrison 20th edition page 1001