Use of latex agglutination testing in diagnosing pediatric meningitis.

Background: Latex agglutination (LA) tests are ordered frequently on cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) specimens obtained from pediatric patients to identify pathogenic bacteria as early as possible in an acute infection.

Methods: Six hundred ten LA tests were performed on 176 patients suspected of having meningitis.

Results: Five patients with meningitis had positive LA tests.

Rectoplasty and perineoplasty for the symptomatic rectocele: a report of fifty cases.

Symptomatic rectoceles are simply and effectively treated by the transrectal repair of the lower rectovaginal fascia and perineal body defects.