Evaluation of lactic dehydrogenase in cases of meningitis.

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured serially in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in 23 cases of meningitis (15 pyogenic and 8 tuberculous) and equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls to find out its diagnostic and prognostic significance in cases of meningitis. The LDH activity was significantly elevated in the CSF and serum (p < 0.001) in cases of pyogenic (PM) as well as tuberculous meningitis (TBM). The maximum elevation was seen on the 1st day and the activity declined thereafter. However, in 3 cases of PM and 5 cases of TBM, the LDH activity on subsequent estimations increased serially and all these cases died. Further, the basal LDH activity in the 3 cases of PM who died was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those who survived. The rise in enzymatic activity in the CSF was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the serum in all the cases of meningitis. The LDH activity was significantly higher in PM as compared to TBM (p < 0.001) both in the CSF as well as the serum.

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase in meningitis.

Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) was measured serially in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in 23 cases of meningitis (15 pyogenic and 8 tuberculous meningitis) and an equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls, to find out its diagnostic and prognostic significance in meningitis. GGTP activity was significantly elevated (p less than 0.001) in CSF and serum in meningitis as compared to control subjects. Levels were significantly higher in pyogenic as compared to tuberculous meningitis (p less than 0.001) and in CSF than in serum (p less than 0.001). The maximum elevation was seen on the 1st day and thereafter the activity declined in the majority (65.2%) of cases. However, in 3 cases of pyogenic meningitis and 5 cases of tuberculous meningitis, the GGTP activity on subsequent estimation increased serially; all these 8 cases died. It is concluded that CSF GGTP activity is significantly elevated in meningitis and serial rise in its activity is associated with poor prognosis and even fatal outcome.