[Beta 2 microglobulin in children with neuroinfections].

CSF and plasma beta2 microglobulin (B2M) concentrations were determined by an enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) (Vidas-bioMerieux) in children with bacterial (B2M), viral (mumps and enteroviral) meningitis and in the controls. CSF B2M concentrations in children with B2M at admission, at 24-48 hrs of treatment and at recovery (day 10), in children with viral meningitis at admission and at recovery were significantly higher in comparison with the control group of children with non-pleiocytic CSF. The levels of CSF B2M at 24-48 hrs of treatment of B2M cases were significantly higher than those at the beginning of both mumps and enteroviral meningitis cases which may be helpful in differential diagnosis of meningitis, especially in cases of retarded diagnosis or partially treated B2M. Plasma levels of B2M during bacterial and mumps meningitis did not differ from those in healthy children but in children with enteroviral meningitis were significantly higher. There was a positive correlation between CSF B2M at the beginning of B2M and some laboratory findings of inflammatory response (CRP, ERS). The CSF B2M levels were significantly higher than its plasma levels in patients with B2M at 24-48 hours (second stage) of disease, mumps meningitis on admission and recovery which may suggest intrathecal production of B2M during central nervous system infection.