Determination of tumor necrosis factor alpha level in cerebrospinal fluid as a differentiating parameter between bacterial and non bacterial meningitis

36 patients [26 males and 10 females with their ages ranged from 4 to 14 years] diagnosed clinically as meningitis were studied for the biochemical, microbiological and the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-alpha] in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF]. 16 patients were diagnosed as bacterial meningitis. While 20 patients [55.56%] were diagnosed as non bacterial meningitis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha level is highly elevated in all patients with bacterial meningitis while showing a little rise in non bacterial meningitis and within normal level in control group with a highly significant difference between the 3 groups [P <0.001] indicating that it can be used as a parameter to differentiate bacterial from non bacterial meningitis