title: [C-reactive protein of the cerebrospinal fluid in children. A new evaluation of its diagnostic value].
abstract: The presence of C-reactive protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been proposed as an early indicator of bacterial meningitis in children. A commercial latex agglutination test (CR-test, Hyland) was performed in CSF obtained at first lumbar puncture in 114 children (26 neonates and 88 children aged from 1 month to 15 years) presenting with meningitis-like episodes. The CSF was regarded as normal in 41 cases; 50 had non-bacterial meningitis, and bacterial infection was diagnosed in 14 and suspected in 9. The latex agglutination test was positive in the first CSF sample from 2 neonates with bacterial meningitis, but its specificity was low (= 0.58). In older infants and children the test was positive in 18/21 cases of bacterial meningitis (sensitivity = 0.86) and negative in the 18 cases with normal CSF, as well as in 47/49 cases of non-bacterial meningitis (specificity = 0.97). The presence of C-reactive protein in CSF obtained at first lumbar puncture therefore is unreliable to distinguish between bacterial and aseptic meningitis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013129:Spinal Puncture
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
vernacular_title: Protéine C-réactive dans le liquide rachidien des enfants. Nouvelle appréciation de sa valeur diagnostique.