Experimental meningitis in the rabbit. II. Cerebral energy metabolism in relation to increased cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of lactate.

We have analyzed cerebral energy metabolism in rabbits with Streptococcus pneumoniae or Escherichia coli meningitis aiming at an increased understanding of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactacidosis observed in this disease. After intracisternal inoculation of bacteria the lactate concentration in the CSF increased to 9.7 +/- 0.7 (mean +/- SE) mmol/l compared to control values of 3.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/l. Simultaneously sampled brain tissue from parietal cortex, caudate nucleus, and thalamus showed no increase in lactate concentrations. The high-energy phosphate content decreased only marginally, phosphocreatine levels by 11-17% in the cortex and in the caudate nucleus, and adenosine triphosphate concentrations by 15%, but only in the caudate nucleus. Our results indicate that the CSF lactate increase in bacterial meningitis is not primarily linked to cerebral lactacidosis. The decreased concentrations of high-energy phosphates in diseased animals need further study but may be due to increased intracranial pressure and reduced capillary blood flow.