TY - JOUR
T1 - Value of C reactive protein measurement in tuberculous, bacterial, and viral meningitis
AU - De Beer, F. C.
AU - Kirsten, G. F.
AU - Gie, R. P.
AU - Beyers, N.
AU - Strachan, A. F.
PY - 1984
Y1 - 1984
N2 - The value of C reactive protein measurement in the differential diagnosis of meningitis was assessed in a population where tuberculous meningitis is prevalent. C reactive protein was measured serially with a sensitive radioimmunoassay in sera from 31 children with bacterial meningitis, 15 with tuberculous meningitis (6 with miliary tuberculosis), and 28 with viral meningitis. Concentrations of C reactive protein in patients with tuberculous meningitis lay between those of patients with bacterial and viral meningitis-a finding which detracts from the virtually absolute discrimination C reactive protein measurement allows between bacterial and viral meningitis. In all but two of the patients with tuberculous meningitis, C reactive protein concentrations fell rapidly after treatment began and became normal after 10 days. This fall did not, however, exclude the development of hydrocephalus as a complication. Measurement of C reactive protein remains a useful additional parameter in the diagnosis and management of the various types of meningitis.
AB - The value of C reactive protein measurement in the differential diagnosis of meningitis was assessed in a population where tuberculous meningitis is prevalent. C reactive protein was measured serially with a sensitive radioimmunoassay in sera from 31 children with bacterial meningitis, 15 with tuberculous meningitis (6 with miliary tuberculosis), and 28 with viral meningitis. Concentrations of C reactive protein in patients with tuberculous meningitis lay between those of patients with bacterial and viral meningitis-a finding which detracts from the virtually absolute discrimination C reactive protein measurement allows between bacterial and viral meningitis. In all but two of the patients with tuberculous meningitis, C reactive protein concentrations fell rapidly after treatment began and became normal after 10 days. This fall did not, however, exclude the development of hydrocephalus as a complication. Measurement of C reactive protein remains a useful additional parameter in the diagnosis and management of the various types of meningitis.
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U2 - 10.1136/adc.59.7.653
DO - 10.1136/adc.59.7.653
M3 - Article
C2 - 6465935
AN - SCOPUS:0021260569
SN - 0003-9888
VL - 59
SP - 653
EP - 656
JO - Archives of Disease in Childhood
JF - Archives of Disease in Childhood
IS - 7
ER -