CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID NEOPTERIN CONCENTRATIONS IN CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM INFECTION

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neopterin levels were determined by RIA in i ndividuals with central nervous system (CNS) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and in healthy controls. The mean CSF neopteri n concentrations were 63.0 nmol/L in 15 patients with acute bacterial meningitis, 54.9 nmol/L in 1 5 patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis, 32 .5 nmol/L in 10 patients with viral meningitis, 130.9 nmol/L in 8 pati ents with viral encephalitis, 13.9 nmol/L in 15 patients with asymptom atic HIV infection, 26.0 nmol/L in 11 patients with AIDS without demen tia, 65.4 nmol/L in 4 patients with AIDS dementia, and 4.2 nmol/L in 2 4 healthy controls. Although patients with viral encephalitis had high er mean neopterin levels than any other patient category studied, the CSF neopterin concentrations cannot be used to discriminate between vi ral and bacterial infections. Analysis of CSF levels of neopterin may be useful as guidance in following clinical course and effect of treat ment and can provide information of value in addition to CSF cell coun t as a measurement of CNS immune stimulation.