Serum and cerebrospinal fluid proteins in tuberculous meningitis.

Serum and CSF protein electrophoresis was performed on cellulose acetate in 8 controls and 30 cases of tuberculous meningitis before treatment and during a hospitalization period of 5 months. The analysis of the CSF electrophoretic pattern showed that abnormalities in the prealbumin, beta and gamma fractions may still exist as late as 5 months after initiation of treatment. An increase in alpha 2 and decrease in the albumin fractions in the serum also persisted. Treatment for 20 weeks improved the clinical condition of the patients and resulted in a significant improvement in the CSF prealbumin and alpha 1 fractions. These findings indicate that changes in these fractions may be considered a good prognostic aid.