Cerebrospinal fluid lactic acid dehydrogenase activity. Levels in untreated and partially antibiotic-treated meningitis
W. E. Feldman
High levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH)
activity were found in 23 cases of bacterial meningitis, but significantly
lower levels of CSF LDH activity were observed in 11 patients with viral
meningitis and in 13 patients with no central nervous system infection. No
correlation was found between levels of CSF LDH activity and specific
agents or the amounts of CSF white blood cell, protein, and glucose. The
number of meningitis cases of unknown cause that could be classified as
probably bacterial or viral was increased by determination of the level of
CSF LDH activity. The level of CSH LDH activity is useful in
differentiating bacterial from viral meningitis and, along with
determination of the CSF blood cell counts and protein and glucose levels,
aids in classification of meningitis before culture results are available.
