Objective: To investigate the level of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with tuberculosis meningitis (TBM) and analyze the relationships of LTB4 level with cytological parameters and disease severity.
Methods: By ELISA, LTB4 levels were measured in the CSF of the patients with TBM (diagnosed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining), cryptococcal meningitis (CM), central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) or non-inflammatory neurological disease (NIND). CSF cytological testing was performed in TBM patients. Disease severity was evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS). LTB4 levels were compared between different disease groups, and the relationships of LTB4 level with white blood cell (WBC) counts, neutrophil counts and disease severity were analyzed statistically.
Results: Compared with CM, CNSL or NIND patients, CSF LTB4 level in TBM patients was remarkably higher. CSF LTB4 level in TBM patients was related to neutrophil counts and neutrophil percentages, but not related to WBC counts. No simple linear correlation was found between CSF LTB4 level and disease severity.
Conclusion: CSF LTB4 level in TBM patients can be used as a predictor of inflammation degree, but its relationship with disease severity and prognosis need further exploration.