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Evaluation of antioxidant status in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis

Hüseyin Caksen1, Semiha Dede, Mustafa Cemek

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Yüzüncü Yil University, Van, Turkey. huseyincaksen@hotmail.com

The International Journal of Neuroscience
|October 31, 2003
PubMed

Insights

This study found that antioxidant levels, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were elevated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis, suggesting a similar antioxidant response in both conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Free radicals may play a role in pediatric meningitis and encephalitis.
  • Understanding antioxidant status is crucial for managing these neurological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and compare the antioxidant status in children diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis.
  • To explore the potential involvement of free radicals in the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed serum levels of antioxidant markers: ceruloplasmin, uric acid, albumin, bilirubin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).
  • Included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 healthy controls.
  • Measurements were taken within 6 hours of hospital admission.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences in antioxidant parameters (except uric acid) were observed between the groups.
  • Antioxidant activities (excluding albumin) were generally higher in patients compared to controls.
  • Albumin levels were lower in meningitis and encephalitis groups than in controls.
  • Specific differences noted between meningitis and encephalitis groups for serum SOD, GPx, ceruloplasmin, and albumin.

Conclusions:

  • Serum levels of SOD, GPx, catalase, and ceruloplasmin were elevated in children with acute bacterial meningitis.
  • Serum levels of SOD, GPx, catalase, ceruloplasmin, and total bilirubin were increased in children with encephalitis.
  • The findings indicate a largely similar antioxidant status in childhood acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis.

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