Abstract | BACKGROUND: Improved diagnostic tests would aid in diagnosing and treating community-acquired meningitis. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients presenting with symptoms of acute meningitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a 6-month prospective, observational, cross-sectional emergency department (ED) study, serum and CSF samples were obtained from all patients with a headache and fever in whom the physician suspected meningitis. Patients were excluded if computed tomography findings contraindicated a lumbar puncture, if they had bleeding disorders, or if their serum indicated bleeding. IL-6 levels were measured and compared in patients with (Group A) and without (Group B) bacterial meningitis. RESULTS: Samples were obtained from 53 patients, of whom 40 were ultimately found to have meningitis. These 40 patients averaged 49.6 ± 21.9 years, with number of men 18 (45%), hospitalizations 21 (52%), mortality 3 (.07%), and IL-6 average rating 491 (median: 14.5; range 0000-6000). Findings in the two groups were: Group A (with meningitis): n = 13, average IL-6 level: 1495 (median: 604; 25/75 percentiles: 232.5-2030; 95% confidence interval [CI] 371.7-2618.6; range 64-6000). Group B (with aseptic meningitis): n = 27, average IL-6 level: 7.34 (median: 5; 25/75 percentiles: 0.0/15.1; 95% CI 3.94-10.73; range 0-23.6). Mann-Whitney rank sum test: p < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Jorge Alejandro Vázquez, Maria del Carmen Adducci, Carlos Coll, Daniel Godoy Monzón, Kenneth V Iserson |
Journal | The Journal of emergency medicine
(J Emerg Med)
Vol. 43
Issue 2
Pg. 322-7
(Aug 2012)
ISSN: 0736-4679 [Print] United States |
PMID | 22142673
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Acute Disease
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Emergency Service, Hospital
- Female
- Fever
(etiology)
- Headache
(etiology)
- Hospitalization
- Humans
- Interleukin-6
(cerebrospinal fluid)
- Male
- Meningitis, Aseptic
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Meningitis, Bacterial
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Meningitis, Haemophilus
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Meningitis, Listeria
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Meningitis, Meningococcal
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Meningitis, Pneumococcal
(cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
- Middle Aged
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Prognosis
- Prospective Studies
- Statistics, Nonparametric
- Young Adult
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