Univariate analysis of risk factors for being a RT-PCR positive, culture-negative case-patient, using culture positive patients as controls.

<p>There were a total of 118 case-patients and 162 controls. For some calculations, denominators differ because of missing data for some patients.</p><p>OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; MIC, minimum inhibitory concentration of CSF against strain of <i>Kocuria rhizophila</i> among specimens with detectable antibiotic; WBC, white blood cell.</p

Multivariable analysis of risk factors for being a RT-PCR positive, culture-negative case-patient, using culture positive patients as controls.

<p>There were a total of 103 case-patients and 142 controls.</p><p>OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid.</p

Proportion of culture-negative and culture-unknown 481 CSF specimens that were RT-PCR positive, by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count (leukocytes/mm³).

<p>Numbers above bars represent the number of specimens tested. Includes 188 patients with unknown culture results.</p

Determination of sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR assay for <i>N. meningitidis</i> (<i>ctrA</i>), <i>S. pneumoniae</i> (<i>lytA</i>), and <i>H. influenzae</i> (<i>bexA</i>) in cerebrospinal fluid and serum specimens (see text for details).

<p>*Number of specimens contributing to the calculation of sensitivity or specificity</p><p>**Specificity determined using specimens positive for other organisms</p><p>***Specificity determined using specimens positive for other organisms or culture negative</p><p>****Specificity determined using specimens positive for other organisms or culture negative but positive for second gene target</p