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Cerebrospinal fluid 14-3-3-gamma protein level in eight HIV-negative cryptococcal meningitis adults

W N Chang1, C H Lu, C R Huang

  • 1Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. cwenneng@ms19.hinet.net

European Journal of Neurology
|February 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 14-3-3-gamma protein is found in HIV-negative patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). This protein level did not change with short-term treatment in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is a serious fungal infection affecting the central nervous system.
  • Diagnosis and prognosis in HIV-negative CM patients can be challenging.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are crucial for understanding CM pathogenesis and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the levels of CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein in adult HIV-negative patients with CM.
  • To assess the correlation of CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels with clinical parameters and treatment outcomes.
  • To determine if CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels change with short-term treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of clinical data from eight adult HIV-negative CM cases.
  • Detection and quantification of 14-3-3-gamma protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using specific assays.
  • Correlation analysis between CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels, CSF white blood cell counts, and therapeutic results.

Main Results:

  • All eight HIV-negative CM patients exhibited positive CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein detection at initial and follow-up studies.
  • Elevated CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels were observed in this cohort.
  • No significant correlation was found between CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein densitometric values and CSF white blood cell counts or therapeutic outcomes.
  • Mortality rate was 37.5% (3/8), and 60% (3/5) of survivors experienced significant neurological deficits.
  • CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels remained unchanged with short-term treatment.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-negative CM patients demonstrate elevated CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein.
  • CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein levels do not appear to correlate with disease severity markers or treatment response in the short term.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of CSF 14-3-3-gamma protein in cryptococcal meningitis.

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