Determination of interleukin-6 (Il-6) in cerebrospinal fluid: Potential role for the evaluation of the vital prognosis in bacterial meningitis

Abstract

Background: To analyze whether the determination of interleukin-6 levels in cerebrospinal fluid is useful as a biomarker for the severity of bacterial meningitis. Methodology: Cerebrospinal fluid was obtained from 120 patients aged 0-15 years with meningitis. They were classified as having bacterial meningitis (n = 85) or aseptic meningitis (n = 35) according to the cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count, microbiological culture and molecular methods. Interleukin-6 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: No significant change in the mean interleukin-6 level on the basis of clinical signs was observed in patients with bacterial meningitis. However, the cerebrospinal fluid total protein level was elevated in patients with alertness problems (3.41±2.26 g L-1). There was a significant correlation (Pearson correlation p<0.05) between the cerebrospinal fluid glucose and total protein levels in patients with bacterial meningitis. The mean cerebrospinal fluid interleukin-6 level (4,472.0±2,494.52 pg mL-1) in patients with bacterial meningitis whose disease outcome was fatal was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of those who survived the disease (2,983.28±2,612.13 pg mL-1). Conclusion: Interleukin-6 is a potential biomarker for identifying bacterial meningitis patients with a high risk of death who require intensive care.