The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in cerebrospinal fluid in adult patients with acute bacterial and viral meningitis and meningoencephalitis

Abstract

The aim of the work is to determine the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the CSF in adult patients with bacterial viral meningitis and meningoencephalitis. Patients and Methods. 168 cases of acute bacterial and viral neuroinfections were analyzed. The level of BDNF in CSF was determined at admission and on 10-12 day of treatment using the ELISA method. Results. The level of BDNF in CSF in the control group was 75,43±1,32 pg/ml. The highest BDNF level was obtained in patients with meningococcal (91,12±3,85 pg/ml) and pneumococcal (83,46±3,83 pg/ml) meningitis at the time of admission. In the groups of bacterial meningoencephalitis, the level of BDNF during the admission was significantly lower compared with the bacterial meningitis but was not significantly differ from the control group indicators. In patients with viral neuroinfection, the level of BDNF was significantly lower than in the control group, both with meningitis and meningoencephalitis. The BDNF level was particularly low in groups of HSV 1,2, EBV and HHV-6 meningoencephalitis (P<0,05). The level of BDNF in CSF in non survivors was 70,30±4,85 pg/ml - significantly lower than in the control group, but not differ from the levels of survivors. Conclusions. Obviously, determining the diagnostic and predictive roles of BDNF level in the CSF in patients with acute neuroinfection needs further research. However, the data obtained indicate the diagnostic value of BDNF in adult patients with acute neuroinfection.