The role of LDH in the differential diagnosis of meningitis

To evaluate the diagnosis value of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in meningitis, LDH activity was determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in sera of 125 children suffering from meningitis (51 bacterial meningitis, 38 viral meningitis, and 36 tuberculosis meningitis) and 33 normal children. In blood, LDH activity elevated significantly in bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis in comparison with control group (p<0.05), but slightly in tuberculosis meningitis. However, no statistical difference between 3 groups has been found. So, LDH in blood might be not helpful in the practical diagnosis. In the CSF, LDH activity in meningitis elevated significantly in comparison with control group (p<0.001). There is highly statistically difference of activities between 3 groups. LDH activity in CSF is useful in the differential diagnosis of meningitis