Value of C reactive protein measurement in tuberculous, bacterial, and viral meningitis.
The value of C reactive protein measurement in the differential diagnosis of meningitis was assessed in a population where tuberculous meningitis is prevalent. C reactive protein was measured serially with a sensitive radioimmunoassay in sera from 31 children with bacterial meningitis, 15 with tuberculous meningitis (6 with miliary tuberculosis), and 28 with viral meningitis. Concentrations of C reactive protein in patients with tuberculous meningitis lay between those of patients with bacterial and viral meningitis--a finding which detracts from the virtually absolute discrimination C reactive protein measurement allows between bacterial and viral meningitis. In all but two of the patients with tuberculous meningitis, C reactive protein concentrations fell rapidly after treatment began and became normal after 10 days. This fall did not, however, exclude the development of hydrocephalus as a complication. Measurement of C reactive protein remains a useful additional parameter in the diagnosis and management of the various types of meningitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008587:Meningitis, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014391:Tuberculosis, Miliary / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis
D002097:C-Reactive Protein