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Cerebrospinal fluid ferritin in children with viral and bacterial meningitis

M Rezaei1, S Mamishi, S Mahmoudi

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Amir Almomenin Hospital, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

British Journal of Biomedical Science
|November 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ferritin levels can help quickly distinguish bacterial meningitis from viral meningitis in children. Higher ferritin concentrations in CSF indicate bacterial meningitis, aiding early diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis remains a significant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality.
  • Early differentiation between bacterial and aseptic meningitis is critical for timely antibiotic intervention and improved patient outcomes.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ferritin shows promise as a sensitive biomarker for early bacterial meningitis diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the diagnostic accuracy of CSF ferritin in differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis in pediatric patients.
  • To compare CSF ferritin levels with other routine CSF parameters in meningitis cases.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 42 pediatric patients with suspected meningitis.
  • CSF samples were analyzed for ferritin, leucocytes, protein, and glucose levels.
  • Patients were categorized into bacterial (n=18) and viral (n=24) meningitis groups.

Main Results:

  • CSF ferritin concentration was significantly higher in the bacterial meningitis group (106.39 ± 86.96 ng/dL) compared to the viral meningitis group (10.17 ± 14.09 ng/dL; P < 0.001).
  • Mean CSF protein and cell counts were elevated in bacterial meningitis and positively correlated with CSF ferritin levels.
  • CSF ferritin demonstrated a strong ability to differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis.

Conclusions:

  • CSF ferritin concentration is a valuable and accurate marker for the early differentiation of bacterial and aseptic meningitis in children.
  • Further research with larger patient cohorts is recommended to validate these findings.
  • This biomarker could facilitate prompt diagnosis and management of pediatric bacterial meningitis.

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