Clinical significance of serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase in 262 children with viral menigocephalitis

Objective To research serum mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase change and clinical significance in patients with viral menigocephalitis.Methods Two hundreds and sixty-two children with viral menigo lephalitis were divided into three groups:mild group( n =145 cases);moderate group ( n =92 cases) and severe group( n =25 cases)according to brain injury degree.Normal conrol group consisted of 121 health cases (69 boys and 52 girls).A serum specimen was collected from each case.The specimens were tested for mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase(m AST)and total aspartate aminotransferase(t AST)by using the auto biochemical analysis instrument,and the value of m AST/t AST was calculated.Results The mean value of serum m AST with mild viral menigocephalitis was 15.50±3.91 U/L,moderate 34.79±7.28 U/L and severe 55.76±11.33 U/L.These increased significantly compared to control group(7.92±2.80 U/L )respectively( P 0.05).The mean value of m AST/t ASt with mild,moderate and severe viral menigocephalitis respectively were(36.76±8.51)%,(47.63±11.53)% and(61.81±7.33)%.There was also significantly increase compared to control group[(25.26±9.21)%].Conclusion The value of m AST and m AST/t AST can be clinically used as one of indexes to assess the severity and prognosis of viral menigocephalitis.