Clinical utility of lactic acid measurement in body fluids other than plasma

The diagnosis of septic infections of closed body cavities requires a careful search. Traditional laboratory tests such as Gram's stain, white cell count, and protein and glucose levels are often inconclusive. Measurement of lactic acid in cerebrospinal, synovial, pleural, ascitic, and bursal fluids has been utilized to distinguish bacterial from nonbacterial infections. The present review summarizes the current status of lactic acid measurement in the differential diagnosis of meningitis, arthritis, empyema, bacterial peritonitis, and bursitis.