Beta-trace protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is decreased in patients with bacterial meningitis

Abstract

Although meninges represent a major site of biosynthesis, beta-trace protein (beta-trace) has not been studied in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of meningitis patients. We measured beta-trace in lumbar CSF of normal controls ( n=27) and in patients with various neurological diseases ( n=92) by an immunonephelometric assay. The mean concentration of beta-trace in CSF of control patients was 16.6±3.6 mg/l. In bacterial meningitis ( n=41), CSF beta-trace was significantly decreased (8.7±3.9 mg/l; P<0.001), whereas in spinal canal stenosis it was elevated (29.2±10.3 mg/l; P=0.002). In viral meningoencephalitis ( n=12), beta-trace CSF concentrations were normal. Beta-trace concentrations remained below the normal range even after curing of bacterial meningitis, and normalisation of CSF leucocytes and blood-CSF barrier function. Beta-trace may be a useful tool for studying the pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis.