A latex slide agglutination test for the direct qualitative detection of antigens to Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus, Neisseria meningitidis groups A, B, C, Y or W135 and Escherichia coli K1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum, urine or blood culture media. In addition, each kit also provides rapid confirmation and serogrouping capabilities from suspected colonies of H. influenzae type b, S. pneumoniae, Group B Streptococcus and N. meningitidis groups A, B, C, Y or W135. Visible agglutination occurs when body fluids or blood culture supernatant containing any of these bacterial antigens is reacted with its respective antibody-coated latex beads.