Objective To evaluate the detection of culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) and 6000 early secretory antigenic target (ESAT-6) in cerebrospinal fluid to be used in diagnosing tuberculous meningitis. Methods Dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( Dot ELISA) method that was improved by applying concentrated cerebrospinal fluid was used to detect CFP10 and ESAT-6 in cerebrospinal fluid to analyze small protein antigen secreted by M. tuberculosis. Cerebrospinal fluid of 111 subjects were collected,in which 58 specimens were clinically diagnosed as tuberculous meningitis and 53 as non-tuberculous.CFP10 and ESAT-6 were detected in cerebrospinal fluid using Dot ELISA method and the results were analyzed. Results The sensitivities of detecting CFP10 and ESAT-6 antigen were 93.1% and 91.4% respectively, and the specificities were 92. 5% and 94. 3% respectively. The sensitivities and specificities are generally higher compared with the other methods of detecting M. tuberculosis or materials of M. tuberculosis by acid-fast staining or mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and polymerase chain reaction.Conclusions Using Dot ELISA method to detect CFP10 and ESAT-6 in cerebrospinal fluid to diagnose tuberculous meningitis has a high sensitivity and specificity. Our study provided the evidence of detecting the specific antigen of M. tuberculosis to be used in diagnosing tuberculosis.