Rapid diagnosis of lymphocytic meningitis by frequency-pulsed electron capture gas-liquid chromatography: differentiation of tuberculous, cryptococcal, and viral meningitis

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Abstract
CSF specimens from patients with tuberculous (17 cases), cryptococcal (15 cases) and viral (14 cases) meningitis were analyzed by frequency-pulsed electron capture GLC and mass spectrometry. Compounds that disappeared after therapy were present in each of these specimens and were not detected in controls. They occurred in repetitive patterns such that these 3 types of meningitis could be rapidly distinguished. The compound associated with tuberculous meningitis was tentatively identified [3-(2''-ketohexyl)indoline]. These findings have implications for rapid diagnosis, pathophysiological studies and possible new therapeutic approaches.