Background: Meningitis most common neurological disorder with high mortality rate. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination by routine tests does not always provide rapid definite information as far as causative agent of different types of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis a common problem especially in many developing countries; Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes and C -reactive protein (CRP) by comparing it with the levels of serum in CSF of different types of meningitis. Material and Methods: A total of 150 cases, aged between 2 month and 60 years, including patients with bacterial meningitis (n=40), pyogenic meningitis (n=46), viral meningitis (n=24) and a control group (n=40), were analyzed on the basis of data from the initial clinical examinations. Results: Significant increase in LDH level (P<0.001) were observed in the test group when compared to the control group. The LDH activity was significantly elevated in the CSF and serum (p < 0.001) in cases of pyogenic (PM) as well as tuberculous meningitis (TBM). CRP was positive in almost all cases and was in the range of 0.7 to 9.7 mg/dl and values were corresponding in the serum. Bacterial meningitis is more common than non-bacterial meningitis. Conclusion: The enzymatic activity of LDH although significantly raised in PM compared to TBM but there was no cutoff level to differentiate them. CRP can be used as a supportive evidence of meningitis.

Keywords: Lactate Dehydrogenase; CRP; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Meningitis.