Determination Of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α(TNF-α) And Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) In Cerebrospinal Fluid In Patients With Meningitis

Object In this study , we evaluated the tumor necrosis factor-α levels (TNF-α) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with meningitis.Material and methods The concentration of TNF- a were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and rate method was used in LDH activity determination in the CSF of 39 patients. Of whom , 13 patients had bacterial meningitis, 8 patients had tubercular meningitis , and 18 patients had viral meningitis. 20 subjects had non-infectious central nervous system (CNS) illness (control group). The specimens were analyzed for the white blood cell counts and the concentrations protein in CSF.Result The CSF TNF- α levels in meningitis groups were obviously higher compared with the control group (26.75±21.64pg/l, p<0.01).And the concentrations of TNF-α in bacterial meningitis (465.15 ± 371.03 pg/l) was highest. There was no significant difference between tubercular meningitis(65.06±42.09 pg/l p>0.1) and viral meningitis(75.91±70.76 pg/l). The CSF levels of LDH of bacterial meningitis(203.59±150.63u/l) were higher than tubercular meningitis (173.51 ±89.71u/l p<0.01). And tubercular meningitis were higher compared with viral meningitis(81.37±45.26u/l) and control group (65.34±50.08u/l). But no significant difference was found between viral meningitis and control group (p>0.1). The TNF-α and LDH were not corrected to the white blood cell counts and protein amounts in CSF(p>0.1).Conclusion The cerebrospinal fluid concentration of TNF-a and LDH could be helpful in the diagnosis bacterial meningitis -. tubercular meningitis and viral meningitis.