C-reactive protein in CNS infection

Serum and CSF levels of CRP were measured by radial immunoassay in 99 subjects consisting of 20 controls, 34 pyogenic meningitis (PM), 21 tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 24 viral encephalitis (VE). There was significant difference in the CRP levels (p less than 0.01) depending on the type of disease in both serum and CSF. The initial serum and CSF levels of CRP in patients with TBM was intermediate between those of PM and VE and were found to be significantly (p less than 0.001) low when compared with three days post treatment levels in children with PM. Both serum and CSF-CRP levels were significantly high (p less than 0.001) in patients succumbing to death than those who survived. Measurement of CRP in serum and CSF is a useful parameter in differentiating partially treated PM from TBM.