Procalcitonin as a Diagnostic Marker in Differentiating Bacterial From Abacterial Meningitis

Abstract

Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are potentially life threateninrequiring rapid diagnosis and immediate parenteral treatment especially acute meningitis and encephalitis. Culture remains, along with Gram stain, the gold standard for

definitive diagnosis of meningitis. However the probability of visualizing bacteria on a Gram-stained preparation of CSF is dependent on the number of organisms present. In addition the decrease in percentage of cases found positive by culture and Gram stain was more in patients who have received antibiotics prior to hospitalization, therefore, specific rapid

and non conventional methods have been developed. . . Elevated PCT level in serum is useful in early diagnosis of bacterial meningitis patients, from whom culture is negative. The present study aimed to:

1- Isolate and identify bacterial agents causmg meningitis m patients admitted to Alexandria Fever Hospital. 2- Study the diagnostic value of serum PCT levels in differentiating bacterial from abacterial meningitis.

This study was carried out on all patients suspected of having

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meningitis admitted to Alexandria Fever Hospital (during the period from