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Acid phosphatase activity of cerebrospinal fluid cells in bacterial and abacterial meningitis

European Neurology
|January 1, 1986
PubMed

Insights

Acid phosphatase staining is a rapid diagnostic tool for meningitis. It helps differentiate bacterial meningitis and monitor treatment effectiveness in cerebrospinal fluid samples.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Cytopathology

Background:

  • Meningitis diagnosis can be challenging, requiring timely and accurate methods.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is crucial for identifying the causative agent of meningitis.
  • Acid phosphatase (ACP) is an enzyme with potential diagnostic value in infectious diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of acid phosphatase staining in CSF for diagnosing various types of meningitis.
  • To assess the correlation between acid phosphatase activity and the type and stage of meningitis.
  • To determine if acid phosphatase staining can aid in monitoring therapeutic response.

Main Methods:

  • Acid phosphatase staining was performed on 365 CSF samples from 105 patients with diverse meningitis types.
  • CSF samples were analyzed for enzyme activity.
  • Clinical data, including antibiotic pretreatment and patient condition, were correlated with staining results.

Main Results:

  • Strongly positive acid phosphatase activity was observed in early bacterial meningitis samples (untreated >24h).
  • Positive results were noted in two cases of cryptococcal meningitis.
  • Acid phosphatase staining was negative in aseptic and Mycoplasma pneumoniae meningitis.
  • Results for herpes encephalitis were variable, linked to clinical status and brain damage.

Conclusions:

  • Acid phosphatase staining is a valuable and rapid cytological method for determining meningitis type.
  • This technique aids in monitoring the effectiveness of meningitis treatment.
  • Acid phosphatase activity in CSF offers differential diagnostic insights for meningitis.

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