Serum C Reactive protein and CSF lactic acid in acute meningitis

ABSTRACT

Thirty patients with acute meningitis and ten normal healthy controls were studied to evaluate the role of serum C-reactive protein [CRP] and CSF lactic acid in differentiating bacterial from non bacterial meningitis, following-up patients and determining the efficacy of treatment. This work showed that both tests were very valuabale for rapid and accutrate diagnosis and for differential diagnosis of acute meningitis and to decide whether or not to start antibiotic therapy. For follow-up and evaluation of antibiotic efficacy, both tests were efficient. However, serum CRP is more useful for predicting complications and when low, an end of therapy lumbar puncture would seldom be indicated