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SM Journal of Clinical Pathology

Evaluation of Biochemical and Hematological Markers of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients Suspected with Meningitis

[ ISSN : 2576-778X ]

Abstract
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Received: 13-Jul-2021

Accepted: 29-Jul-2021

Published: 30-Jul-2021

Case Report | Volume 5 - Issue 1 | Article DOI :

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Hadadi AI¹, Masuadi E¹, Alouffi S²*, Al Johani SM³˒⁴, Al Mugairi A³, Al-Sughair A³, Alhamad A³, Al Saedi R³, Al-Shebani M³, Bahis A³, Mahmoud S³, Almutairi AF³, Al-Yaeesh R³, Alhassan I³, Alenzi FQ⁵, Tamimi W¹˒³*

¹College of Medicine and College of Medical Applied Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
²Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
³Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Abdulla International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
?College of Science and Health Profession, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
?College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Corresponding Author:

Sultan Alouffi, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.

Keywords

Cerebrospinal Fluid, Meningitis, CSF

Abstract

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood cultures are gold standard tests for establishing the diagnosis of meningitis; however, they are labor-intensive and require longer turnaround time before the results are available to the physician. This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of laboratory markers in CSF samples. Design and

Methods: A total of 248 CSF samples were received from 137 patients suspected with meningitis. The samples were collected by our physicians and sent to the laboratory for immediate analysis. White blood cell (WBC) count and levels of glucose and total protein (TP) were analyzed. CSF culture was done for all samples in the microbiology laboratory. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were calculated.

Results: The majority of samples were received from neonates (61 patients [44.5%], aged 18 years). There were 47 (34.3%) females. Culture results revealed 15 samples (7.7%) positive for bacterial meningitis. Sensitivities for WBC count and TP and glucose levels were 73.3%, 86.7%, and 60%, respectively, and the respective specificities were 75.4%, 36.1%, and 30.7%. Positive predictive values were 20%, 10.2%, and 6.7%, respectively, and negative predictive values were 97.1%, 97%, and 90.2%, respectively. The overall accuracy rates were 75.3%, 40%, and 33%, respectively.

Conclusion: CSF and blood cultures demonstrated good sensitivity but low specificity, with the exception of WBC count. These tests were sufficient to rule out meningitis.

Citation

Hadadi AI, Masuadi E, Alouffi S*, Al Johani SM, Al Mugairi A, et al. (2021) Evaluation of Biochemical and Hematological Markers of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients Suspected with Meningitis. SM J Clin Pathol 5: 6.