CSF lysosomal hydrolase activity as an aid in the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

Abstract

The activity of the lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase, β-glucuronidase, α-mannosidase and hexosaminidase were determined in CSF obtained from patients with proven bacterial meningitis and from patients with various other diagnoses. The mean value for CSF β-glucuronidase from bacterial meningitis was elevated 73-fold when compared to the aggregate mean of all control groups. Acid phosphatase and α-mannosidase means were 26-fold and 33-fold elevated respectively while hexosaminidase was threefold elevated. Measurement of CSF acid phosphatase and β-glucuronidase should prove a rapid useful test in establishing the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Chromatography of CSF samples on DEAE Sephadex allowed the resolution of hexosaminidase and β-glucuronidase into individual isozymes. The ratio of hexosaminidase A to hexosaminidase B was generally higher in CSF from patients with bacterial meningitis but was very variable. The isozyme distribution for β-glucuronidase was identical to that found in serum and no differences in pattern were found between patients and control subjects.