Diagnostic, monitoring, and prognostic value of combined detection of lactate dehydrogenase, β2-transferrin, and interleukin-10 for acute intracranial infections.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the value of the combined detection of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-transferrin (β-2Tf), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) for identification of acute intracranial infections such as meningitis.

METHODS

A total of 103 patients were placed in the suppurative meningitis group (SMG), 124 patients in the viral meningitis group (VMG). Another 86 patients without any infectious diseases of the central nervous system constituted the control group (CG). The levels of LDH and β-2Tf in the cerebrospinal fluid were determined by enzymatic methods; IL-10 expression was measured by ELISA. The correlation between infection and the LDH, β-2Tf, and IL-10 levels was analyzed by linear correlation analysis, and ROC curve analysis was applied to determine the diagnostic value of combined detection of LDH, β-2Tf, and IL-10 levels for intracranial infections.

RESULTS

LDH, β-2Tf, and IL-10 levels negatively correlated with the treatment time in both the SMG (r = -0.52, -0.97, and -0.24, respectively, P < 0.01) and VMG (r = -0.70, -0.91, and -0.25, respectively, P < 0.01). Sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of LDH, β-2Tf, and IL-10 for the diagnosis of SM was 80.47% and 75.33%, respectively, while those for VM were 84.24% and 79.24%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combined detection is an excellent indicator for the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial infections.