Cytokine characteristic of cerebrospinal fluid from children with enteroviral meningitis compared to bacterial meningitis

Abstract

Background: Enteroviruses are the most common etiological agent for viral encephalitis, but it is uncertain whether the cytokines have the ability to differentiate enteroviral meningitis (EVM) from bacterial meningitis (BM). Methods: A retrospective study was performed at the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from August 2016 and August 2019. CSF and/or blood specimens were collected for microbiological culture, viruses, and cytokine detection. Results: Forty-three patients were confirmed with meningitis, 27 patients with EVM, and 16 with BM. Children with EVM were older compared with BM and Control group (P