[Clinical implication of lactate-acidosis in purulent meningitis].

AIM: To study diagnostic and prognostic significance of lactate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood in patients with bacterial purulent meningitis (BPM) of different etiology.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

BPM and blood lactate levels were studied in 112 patients aged 18-70 years by the enzyme assay on the biochemical analyzer Hitachi 902 at admission to hospital, on the treatment days 3-7, 8-18.

RESULTS

BPM is associated with marked lactate-acidosis in CSF and moderate one in the blood. The lactate level in the blood was higher in patients with generalized infection in moderate enhancement of lactate-acidosis in CSF. Changes in CSF lactate concentration depends on the etiological factor, efficacy of antibacterial therapy, course and outcome of the disease. Direct correlation was found of CSF lactate level with that of protein level and cytosis in CSF, a negative correlation--with glucose concentration.

CONCLUSION

The test for lactate concentration in the blood and CSF and their correlation (CSF/blood coefficient) is effective in differential diagnosis between BPM, serous viral meningitis, non-inflammatory lesions of CNS, for assessment of treatment efficacy, prognosis of the disease outcome.