Adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tuberculous meningitis

Abstract

Meningitis is an active inflammatory condition of CNS. However prompt and precise aetiological diagnosis remains a challenge. Often a thorough CSF examination may not give a precise diagnosis.There is considerable urgency in establishing correct diagnosis in patients with tuberculous meningitis because specific therapy is most effective when initiated early in course of illness, delay may cause irreversible brain damage.Diagnosis often rests on circumstantial evidence such as history, typical CSF findings and other evidence for presence of tuberculosis such as acid fast bacilli in sputum, positive tuberculosis test and suspicious Chest x-ray. Under present study the role of enzymes such as adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase has been evaluated in diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis. Result of the study suggest that adenosine deaminase level in CSF and serum may be a useful parameter along with other routine estimations. The enzyme activity is high in disease such as tuberculosis where cellular mediated immunity is stimulated.Estimation of lactate dehydrogenase levels may not be a specific parameter for tuberculous meningitis this requires further studies in patients of meningitis with different aetiological diagnosis.