Occurrence of M-proteins in the CSF of a child with prolonged meningococcal meningitis.

CSF of a 4-month-old boy with prolonged, meningococcal meningitis revealed oligoclonal immunoglobulin G about 10 weeks after hospital admission. These proteins persisted for at least 4 months. In contrast to this child, a further 10 infants and young children with bacterial meningitis, whose CSF was examined between 4 weeks and 6 3/4 months subsequent to onset of the disease, showed no such abnormality. Since the presented boy was the only patient treated with a corticosteroid, his altered immune reaction could be related to the immunosuppressive effect of this drug.