Serum C-reactive protein as detector of pretreated childhood bacterial meningitis.

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured at presentation to the hospital in 15 children with proven bacterial meningitis (BM) pretreated with antibiotics. CRP exceeded the upper normal limit of 19 mg/l in all cases; the mean value was 195 mg/l (range, 55 to 375 mg/l). On the other hand, CRP levels were normal in 12 patients with viral meningitis or meningoencephalitis. Rapid determination of serum CRP should be performed whenever BM is suspected.