שאלה משלב א׳ במיקרוביולוגיה קלינית · מועד 2022, שאלה 111

Correct: D — a negative CSF PCR does not exclude tuberculous meningitis; its sensitivity is only moderate, so culture of a large volume and clinical judgement remain necessary. Option A is true, at least 5 mL being recommended for mycobacterial culture. Note that option B, India ink, is the weakest of the true statements, since cryptococcal antigen is now the recommended direct test, India ink being the older and less sensitive method; option C is true, neurosyphilis and neuroborreliosis being diagnosed by antibody testing in CSF.