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[C-reactive protein (CRP) and its significance in purulent meningitis]
W Przyjałkowski1, D Lipowski, T Kolasa
1Kliniki Chorób Zakaźnych dla Dorosłych AM w Warszawie.
Abstract:
CRP level was determined in the cerebrospinal fluid in 40 cases of bacterial meningitis. Similar determination in serum was done in 32 of these patients. Aetiological verification was possible in 90% of cases. Meningitis caused by Str. pneumonia and Neisseria meningitides prevailed (52.5% and 27.5% respectively). The control group comprised 20 subjects. For CRP demonstration immunochemical and turbidimetric methods were used. CRP in CSF was raised in 62.5% of the study cases while in the serum it was raised in all of them. CRP detection in serum in acute phase of central nervous system infection is diagnostically important since CRP increase suggests a purulent process.
Insights
C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum are key indicators for diagnosing bacterial meningitis. Elevated serum CRP strongly suggests a purulent central nervous system infection, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Chemistry
- Neurology
Background:
- Bacterial meningitis is a critical central nervous system infection requiring rapid diagnosis.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known biomarker for inflammation and infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum for bacterial meningitis.
- To determine the correlation between CRP levels and specific causative agents of meningitis.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples were collected from 40 bacterial meningitis patients and 20 controls.
- Immunochemical and turbidimetric methods were employed for C-reactive protein (CRP) quantification.
- Etiological verification of meningitis was performed.
Main Results:
- Causative agents identified included Streptococcus pneumoniae (52.5%) and Neisseria meningitidis (27.5%).
- Elevated CRP levels were detected in 62.5% of CSF samples and 100% of serum samples from meningitis patients.
- A significant increase in serum CRP was observed in all acute cases, indicating a purulent process.
Conclusions:
- Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) detection is highly valuable in the acute phase of central nervous system infections like bacterial meningitis.
- Elevated CRP levels in serum serve as a strong indicator of a purulent infectious process, supporting clinical diagnosis.