Persistence of pneumolysin in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with pneumococcal meningitis is associated with mortality

Abstract

Poor prognosis in Pneumococcal meningitis may be associated with high pneumolysin levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In patient samples we showed that pneumolysin levels in CSF remained high after 48 hours in nonsurvivors of meningitis compared with survivors. Selective antipneumolysin treatment may present a novel therapeutic option. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.