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[FDP levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are elevated in patients with meningitis]
S Okamoto1, H Takahashi, K Minoura
1Department of Clinical Laboratory and Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine.
Abstract:
Since the level of fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) are elevated with severity of inflammation, we assumed that FDP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could be a marker of meningitis. We, therefore, measured FDP in the CSF of 6 patients with bacterial meningitis and 6 aseptic meningitis. The range of FDP levels in the CSF in patients without meningitis was 0.21 +/- 0.01 microgram/ml. While, the level of FDP in patients with aseptic meningitis (0.43 +/- 0.10 microgram/ml) and in bacterial meningitis (1.78 +/- 0.42 micrograms/ml) was significantly elevated (p less than 0.05). The value was significantly (p less than 0.01) higher in the group of septic meningitis than in aseptic meningitis. In one patient with septic meningitis, we could measure FDP in the CSF several times during the course of the disease, in which the level of FDP got into the high range earlier than the changes in levels of protein, glucose and cell counts in the CSF. FDP in the CSF well correlated to the clinical course of the meningitis. Eventually, we found that FDP in the CSF was definitely elevated in patients with bacterial meningitis, whereas it was slightly elevated in patients with aseptic meningitis. The measurement of FDP in the CSF, therefore, is concluded to be useful for the differential diagnosis of meningitis, and to assess the clinical course of meningitis.
Insights
Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can help diagnose meningitis. Elevated FDP levels indicate bacterial meningitis more strongly than aseptic meningitis, aiding in differential diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Inflammation severity correlates with elevated fibrinogen degradation products (FDP).
- Fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) are potential biomarkers for central nervous system infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) as a diagnostic marker for meningitis.
- To differentiate between bacterial and aseptic meningitis using CSF FDP levels.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of FDP levels in the CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis, and healthy controls.
- Comparison of FDP levels across different meningitis groups and correlation with clinical course.
Main Results:
- CSF FDP levels were significantly elevated in both aseptic (0.43 ± 0.10 µg/ml) and bacterial meningitis (1.78 ± 0.42 µg/ml) compared to controls (0.21 ± 0.01 µg/ml).
- CSF FDP levels were significantly higher in bacterial meningitis than in aseptic meningitis (p < 0.01).
- In one bacterial meningitis case, CSF FDP levels rose earlier than traditional markers like protein, glucose, and cell counts, correlating with the clinical course.
Conclusions:
- CSF FDP measurement is a valuable tool for the differential diagnosis of meningitis.
- CSF FDP levels can aid in assessing the clinical progression of meningitis, particularly bacterial forms.