title: Pattern of cerebrospinal fluid lactic dehydrogenase during treatment of bacterial meningitis.
abstract: Bacterial and aseptic meningitis are characterized by distinctive lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns. No studies have quantified the dynamics of lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme distribution during treated bacterial meningitis. We used a retrospective case-series design, and reviewed files of all neonates with bacterial meningitis who attended our pediatric tertiary medical center for 8 years period. We identified neonates in whom a repeated lumbar puncture was indicated. Findings of cerebrospinal fluid analysis, including levels of lactic dehydrogenase isoenzymes, were compared with an age-matched reference group. In two patients with meningitis, lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid analysis was repeated because of inadequate response to treatment or initially obscure etiologic pathogens. Both patients had initially low levels of lactic dehydrogenase-1 and lactic dehydrogenase-2 and high levels of lactic dehydrogenase-4 and lactic dehydrogenase-5, similar to other patients with bacterial meningitis. The distribution pattern of lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme normalized after adequate antibiotic treatment. In light of the encouraging results in these two patients, further studies are warranted regarding the value of lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme measurements for follow-up purposes and for evaluations of response to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine B, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. nussim@clalit.org.il
authors.forename: Udi
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Finkelstein
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harel
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nussinovitch
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D010326:Pasteurella Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase