Beta-trace protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is decreased in patients with bacterial meningitis

Although meninges represent a major site of biosynthesis, beta-trace protein (beta-trace) has not been studied in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of meningitis patients. We measured beta-trace in lumbar CSF of normal controls (n = 27) and in patients with various neurological diseases (n = 92) by an immunonephelometric assay. The mean concentration of beta-trace in CSF of control patients was 16.6 +/- 3.6 mg/l. In bacterial meningitis (n = 41), CSF beta-trace was significantly decreased (8.7 +/- 3.9 mg/l; P < 0.001), whereas in spinal canal stenosis it was elevated (29.2 +/- 10.3 mg/l; P = 0.002). In viral meningoencephalitis (n = 12), beta-trace CSF concentrations were normal. Beta-trace concentrations remained below the normal range even after curing of bacterial meningitis, and normalisation of CSF leucocytes and blood-CSF barrier function. Beta-trace may be a useful tool for studying the pathophysiology of bacterial meningitis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.