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Cerebrospinal fluid prognostic indices in experimental pneumococcal meningitis
The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
|August 1, 1982
Summary
In pneumococcal meningitis, early high bacteria and lactate with low leukocytes and glucose, and later elevated lactate and LDH, predict death. These markers may help identify high-risk patients and assess treatment effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pneumococcal meningitis is a severe infection with significant mortality.
- Predicting patient outcomes and treatment response in meningitis remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.
- To correlate specific CSF parameters with mortality during antibiotic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits with experimental pneumococcal meningitis received antibiotic therapy.
- Quantitative bacterial concentrations, leukocytes, glucose, lactate, lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in CSF were measured.
- CSF variables were analyzed for correlation with death.
Main Results:
- Early (day 1) high bacterial titers and lactate, with low leukocytes and glucose, correlated with death.
- Late (day 3) elevated CSF lactate and LDH levels, along with leukocyte count, also predicted mortality.
- High initial bacterial inoculum and high plasma glucose levels were associated with adverse prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Specific CSF biomarkers, including bacterial load, lactate, glucose, leukocytes, and LDH, have prognostic value in pneumococcal meningitis.
- These findings may aid in identifying high-risk patients.
- Monitoring these variables could help gauge the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment.