[Cholinesterase in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in patients with viral meningitis]

Pseudocholinesterase activity (PChE) in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid was determined in 30 patients; in 15 patients with acute viral meningitis and in 15 patients with meningism. Concentration of total proteins in cerebrospinal fluid was also determined. PChE activity and protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis is significantly higher than in control group (P < 0.001). Relationship of PChE activity and protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis does not differ from that in the control group patients. Thus, the increase of PChE activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with viral meningitis suggests an alteration in the blood-brain barrier, leading to an increase in the passage of serum components.