Cerebrospinal Fluid C-reactive Protein in the Diagnosis of Meningitis in Children

Soetiman Soetiono; Sunartini Sunartini; Soeroyo Machfudz; Setyawati P. S.

doi:10.14238/pi29.1-2.1989.20-7

Soetiman Soetiono Child Health Department, Gajah Mada University, School of Medicine/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital,Â· Yogyakarta, Central Java
Sunartini Sunartini Child Health Department, Gajah Mada University, School of Medicine/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital,Â· Yogyakarta, Central Java
Soeroyo Machfudz Child Health Department, Gajah Mada University, School of Medicine/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital,Â· Yogyakarta, Central Java
Setyawati P. S. Clinical Pathology Laboratory, Gajah Mada University, School of Medicine/Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta, Central Java

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi29.1-2.1989.20-7

Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid, c-reactive protein, meningitis

Abstract

The mortality rate of bacterial meningitis in infants and children is still high (40-50%). Such a mortality rate can be reduced by establishing a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Until now the diagnosis of meningitis is still an important clinical problem.

The examination of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein had been done in 44 clinical meningitis patients in the Paediatrics Department, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital qualitatively by means of latex agglutination slide test. Cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein was positive in 90% (18120) of bacterial meningitis patients compared to 8.3 % (2124) of non bacterial meningitis patients. The sensivity and specificity of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein were 90% and 91.7% respectively and these value were more sensitive and specific than those of white cell count, absolute polymorphonuclear, glucose and protein levels and the cerebrospinal fluid smear (50-80% and 80-91%, respectively) which had been performed in the diagnosis of meningitis.

It can be concluded that the examination of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein can be used as a diagnostic tool of bacterial meningitis.

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