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Bacteriological study of pyogenic meningitis with special reference to C-reactive protein

S S Tankhiwale1, P M Jagtap, R K Khadse

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Nagpur - 440 018, Maharashtra, India.

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|August 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Diagnosing pyogenic meningitis is faster using C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This method offers significant diagnostic utility compared to traditional culture techniques for bacterial meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Clinical Diagnostics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Pyogenic meningitis is a serious infection requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.
  • Traditional diagnostic methods like cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture can be time-consuming.
  • Early identification of causative organisms is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) for rapid diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis.
  • To compare the effectiveness of CRP estimation in serum and CSF against conventional culture methods.
  • To identify predominant microorganisms causing pyogenic meningitis in adult and pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 75 patients diagnosed with pyogenic meningitis (28 adults, 47 pediatric).
  • Identified predominant organisms: Gram-positive in adults, Gram-negative bacilli in pediatric patients.
  • Measured C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for all cases.

Main Results:

  • Gram-positive bacteria were the primary cause in adults, while Gram-negative bacilli predominated in pediatric cases.
  • Simultaneous estimation of CRP in serum and CSF demonstrated significant diagnostic utility.
  • CRP levels proved to be a more rapid diagnostic marker compared to culture.

Conclusions:

  • Simultaneous CRP measurement in serum and CSF is a valuable tool for the rapid diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis.
  • CRP serves as an effective early marker, potentially improving patient outcomes through faster treatment initiation.
  • Understanding age-specific predominant pathogens aids in targeted empirical therapy.

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