title: Biomarkers of brain injury in cerebral infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Central nervous system (CNS) infections present a major burden of disease worldwide and are associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Swift diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment are vital to minimize the risk of poor outcome; however, tools are lacking to accurately diagnose infection, assess injury severity, and predict outcome. Biomarkers of structural neurological injury could provide valuable information in addressing some of these challenges.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In this review, we summarize experimental and clinical research on biomarkers of neurological injury in a range of CNS infectious diseases. Data suggest that in both adults and children, the biomarkers S100B and neuron-specific enlose (NSE), among others, can provide insight into the pathophysiology of CNS infection and injury severity, evolution, and response to treatment. Research into the added utility of combining a panel of biomarkers and in assessing biomarker association with clinical and radiological outcomes warrants further work. Various factors, including age, the establishment of normative values, and comparison of biomarker concentrations across different testing platforms still present challenges in biomarker application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Research regarding the value of biomarkers in CNS infections is still in its infancy. However, early evidence supports their utility in diagnosis and prognosis, and potentially as effective surrogate end points in the assessment of novel interventions.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurosurgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. ursulakarin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Ursula K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Rohlwink
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Neurosurgery, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Figaji
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; C579160:S100B protein, human