Laboratory diagnosis of parasitic and fungal diseases of the central nervous system

This review is presented to bring attention to those fungal and parasitic organisms that have been associated with central nervous system (CNS) infection and to offer an approach for handling their laboratory diagnosis. Treatment of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to yeild best results on direct smear examination and culture are discussed. Culture procedures and staining methods to be done are given in chart form. Those immunologic tests useful in supporting the diagnosis of fungal or parasitic CNS infections are also included.