Evaluation of the concentration of cerebrospinal fluid ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in patients with purulent, bacterial meningitis--own observations

• Published in: Przegląd epidemiologiczny Vol. 66; no. 3; p. 425
• Main Author: Kepa, Lucjan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Polish
• Published: Poland 2012
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - cerebrospinal fluid; Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor - cerebrospinal fluid; Female; Humans; Male; Meningitis, Bacterial - cerebrospinal fluid; Meningitis, Bacterial - diagnosis; Meningoencephalitis - cerebrospinal fluid; Meningoencephalitis - diagnosis; Prognosis
• ISSN: 0033-2100

THE AIM of the study was evaluation of usefulness of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) concentration assessment in adults with purulent, bacterial meningoencephalitis. The investigation was performed in 14 subjects hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases of Medical University of Silesia in Bytom from 2007 - 2009 due to purulent, bacterial meningoencephalitis. All patients were divided into to groups according to the severity of their clinical condition: I group - very severe course of the disease, II group - moderate and mild course of the disease. In all individuals CSF CNTF concentration was evaluated during the first 24 hours of hospitalization. Mean CSF CNTF concentration in patients in very severe clinical condition (group I) was 14,73 pg/ mL compared to 6,79 pg/mL in subjects of group II with moderate and mild course of disease. The difference between CSF mean concentration of this cytokine was statistically significant (p < 0,01). No correlations were assessed between CSF CNTF concentrations and other CSF inflammatory parameters. Control assays performed in 4 patients from group I revealed evident decrease of CSF CNTF level in fatal course of the disease. In survivals with recovery CSF concentration of this cytokine was only slightly decreased compared to initial level. CONCLUSIONS. The obtained results indicate the usefulness of CSF CNTF concentration assessment in estimation of severity of the patient's clinical condition. The level of this cytokine concentration also seems to be helpful as prognostic marker in purulent, bacterial meningoencephalitis.