Pseudocholinesterase in children with viral meningitis

Pseudocholinesterase (PChE) activity in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma was determined in 30 patients; in 15 patients with acute viral meningitis and in 15 patients of a control group presenting meningeal syndrome (positive Kernig's sign, stiff neck), who did not have a verified infection of the central nervous system. The concentration of total proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid was also determined. PChE activity and the protein concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid in children with viral meningitis is significantly higher than the values of the control group (P<0,001), while the plasma PChE activity did not change. Pseudocholinesterase is synthesized in the liver and its increased activity in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with viral meningitis shows a disruption of the blood-brain barrier and can be an additional diagnostic marker in children with viral meningitis.