Value of CSF NSE and LDH in Differential Diagnosis of Purulent Meningitis and Viral Meningitis

[Objective]To measure the changes and evaluate diagnostic value of Cerebrospinal Fluid(CSF),Neuron-Specific Enolase(NSE),Lactic Dehydrogenase(LDH) levels in children with purulent meningitis and viral encephalitis.[Methods]31 children with purulent meningitis,33 children with viral encephalitis and 22 normal children as control group were selected.The NSE and LDH was measured with chemoluminescence method and kinetic method,respectively.[Results]①Levels of NSE and LDH: the level in children with purulent meningitis were significantly higher than those in children with viral encephalitis(P0.01).The levels in all patients were significantly higher than those in controls(P0.01).②The positive standard defined as NSE≥15.3 μg/L,the sensitivity and specificity of NSE level to diagnose purulent meningitis was 58.06% and 86.36%,respectively;those to diagnose viral encephalitis was 39.33% and 86.36%,respectively.③The positive standard defined as LDH ≥29.2 u/L,the sensitivity and specificity of LDH level to diagnose purulent meningitis was 100% and 80.95%,respectively;those to diagnose viral encephalitis was 66.67% and 90.9%,respectively.[Conclusion]Measuring the levels of NSE combined with LDH is useful in differential diagnosis of purulent meningitis and viral encephalitis.