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In Vivo Tracking of Edema Development and Microvascular Pathology in a Model of Experimental Cerebral Malaria Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Characteristic abnormalities in cerebrospinal fluid biochemistry in children with cerebral malaria compared to viral

S R Jakka1, S Veena, R M Atmakuri

  • 1Whiston General Hospital, Whiston, Warrington Road, L355DR, UK. jakkasrinu@yahoo.com

Cerebrospinal Fluid Research
|June 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and CSF/serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) ratio effectively differentiate cerebral malaria from viral encephalitis in children. These biochemical markers offer valuable diagnostic insights in endemic regions.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cerebral malaria and viral encephalitis co-exist in Plasmodium falciparum endemic areas.
  • Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia is common in children in these regions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biochemistry between children with cerebral malaria and presumed viral encephalitis.

Main Methods:

  • CSF analysis included cell count, glucose, protein, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels.
  • Compared parameters in children with cerebral malaria, viral encephalitis, and controls (post-febrile coma).

Main Results:

  • Cerebral malaria cases showed lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein, LDH, and ADA compared to controls.
  • Cerebral malaria patients had lower CSF white cell count, glucose, protein, LDH, and CSF/serum ADA ratio versus viral encephalitis patients.
  • CSF/serum ADA ratio <0.38 and CSF glucose <3.4 mmol/l demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for differentiating the conditions.

Conclusions:

  • CSF/serum ADA ratio and CSF glucose levels are key discriminators between cerebral malaria and viral encephalitis.
  • Further research is recommended to assess their utility in epidemiological studies.
Abstract

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