Lactoferrin, C-reactive Protein, α-1-Antitrypsin and Immunoglobulin GA in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Meningitis

ABSTRACT. Cerebrospinal fluid measurements of lactoferrin and α-1-antitrypsin showed significant elevation in bacterial meningitis in children. 8 of 10 lactoferrin values and 6 of 11 α-1-antitrypsin values were above the upper range of controls. Both proteins correlated well with the total number of leukocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid. C-reactive protein, measured by either agglutination or radial immunodiffusion in the cerebrospinal fluid, failed to demonstrate any asefulness in diagnosing bacterial meningitis. Neither elevated serum C-reactive protein in cases of bacterial meningitis, nor sepsis, gave detectable concentrations of C-reactive protein in the cerebrospinal fluid.