Cerebrospinal fluid aldolase, lactate and creatine phosphokinase in the differential diagnosis of meningitis and meningo-encephalitis.

Creatine phosphokinase, aldolase and lactate determinations were performed on serum and cerebrospinal fluid to assess their value in the diagnosis of tuberculous and purulent meningitis and meningo-encephalitis. Changes in serum were independent of those in the cerebrospinal fluid. Variable results for cerebrospinal fluid creatine phosphokinase were obtained in the three groups. Lactate concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid showed a clear distinction between tuberculous meningitis and meningo-encephalitis with levels 5 mmol/1 highly suggesting tuberculous meningitis. Also elevated cerebrospinal fluid aldolase levels may exclude meningo-encephalitis as a likely diagnosis.