Cytokines predict meningitis outcomes:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Levels of cytokines interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and superoxide are good prognostic indicators in children with acute bacterial meningitis, say Indian researchers. Dr S Aneja and colleagues at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi measured the levels of cytokines in children with acute bacterial meningitis and with febrile seizures as controls. All three cytokines were higher in the children with meningitis (whether due to Gram positive or Gram negative organisms) and all children with IL-1beta levels over 500 pg/ml and TNF-a levels over 1,500 pg/ml died. The findings were published in the June issue of Indian Pediatrics.