The significance of S100B protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid and serum in children with viral encephalitis

Objective To observe the changes in S100B protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in children with viral encephalitis (VE) and to explore the value of S100B in assessing cerebral damage.Methods Forty children with VE were assigned to study group,and then subdivided into (16 patients) and consciousness group (24 patients).30 children who had no neurological disorders and tumors were recruited as control.Levels of S100B protein in the CSF and serum were detected in the acute phase and the recovery phase by sandwich ELISA,respectively.The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS15.0.Results Levels of S100B protein in the CSF and serum were significantly higher in the acute phase than in the recovery phase and the control group (P<0.001 for all comparisons),and they were higher than in the coma group in the consciousness group and the control group (P<0.001 all comparisons).S100B protein level also differed between the consciousness group and the control group (P<0.001).S100B protein level in the CSF was positively related with that in the serum.Conclusions S100B protein in the CSF and serum can be used as an indicator for assessing cerebral damage in children with viral encephalitis,which is helpful in identifying the severity of cerebral damage and assessing the prognosis of the disease. Key words: S100B protein; Viral encephalitis; Cerebrospinal fluid; Serum; Children; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay