Value of CSF Lactate in the Differential Diagnosis Between Bacterial Meningitis and Other Diseases with Meningeal Involvement

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Abstract
Lactate concentrations in the [CSF] of 104 patients were determined by the Monotest Lactate Kit. Lactate values were higher in cases of bacterial meningitis than in patients not suffering from acute (CNS) disorders. Elevated lactate levels were also found in patients suffering from aspetic meningitis, septicemia, CNS trauma. cerebrovascular accidents, seizures and diabetes mellitus. The highest levels were found in cases of bacterial meingitis, but there was considerable overlapping between the groups. CSF lactate thus appears to have limited diagnostic value in the differential diagnosis between bacterial meningitis and other diseases with meningeal involvement.