Serum and cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-1B and interleukin-6 in meningitis

ABSTRACT

Thirty patients with meningitis were enrolled in this study. They divided into three groups Group I included those with bacterial meningitis with no complications, group II comprised patients with complicated bacterial meningitis, while the third group was made of nonbacterial meningitis cases. Moreover, ten healthy persons of matching age, sex and socioeconomic status were included as controls for serum IL-1 beta and IL-6. The highest CSF cytokines values were detected in patients with complicated bacterial meningitis followed in descending order by those with uncomplicated bacterial meningitis then those with nonbacterial meningitis. A significant difference was only present between GSF IL-1 beta values of the three studied groups. Statistical study of serum IL-6 showed no significant difference between the three included groups as well as when compared with its CSF value. However, serum IL-1 beta was significantly different in these groups and in comparison with its CSF level. IL-1 beta and IL-6 seem to play a major role in the initial events of meningeal inflammation. Their CSF concentration could help to distinguish bacterial from viral meningitis and predict occurrence of complications. Serum cytokines did not appear to be clinically useful laboratory tests to predict the outcome the disease