Interleukin-6 and nerve growth factor levels in cerebrospinal fluid of infants and children with meningitis

ABSTRACT

This study included 22 patients for evaluation and treatment of meningitis during the period from June 1999 to December 1999. Eight children had septic meningitis and 14 children had aseptic meningitis. Twenty children had normal CSF during evaluation for meningitis of matched age and sex served as a control group. All cases and control were subjected to through history taking, full clinical examination and CSF analysis for glucose, protein levels, white blood cells [WBCs] count and culture. CSF concentrations of IL-6 were determined using enzyme linked immune assay kit [No.1120] manufactured by IMM Unnotech; counter company. However, NGF was detected by two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. The results revealed that septic meningitis group had significantly higher CSF WBCs and protein levels than in aseptic meningitis and control groups. IL-6 was detected in 100% of children with septic meningitis and only in the CSF of 41% of aseptic meningitis group. No control subject had detectable levels of IL-6 in the CSF. NGF was detected in 37% of children with septic meningitis and in 50% of aseptic meningitis group. NGF was not detected in any CSF of control subjects. CSF concentrations of both IL-6 and NGF were significantly higher in children with septic and aseptic meningitis compared with control children. IL-6 and NGF were significantly higher in the CSF of children with septic than in those with aseptic meningitis. No significant correlation was found between IL-6 and NGF levels in the CSF and the total leukocyte count or absolute neutrophils count in the CSF of children with meningitis