Detection of Delta-like 1 ligand for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis: an effective and rapid diagnostic method

T Peng, Y Zhou, J Li, J Li, W Wan…�- Journal of international�…, 2014 - journals.sagepub.com
T Peng, Y Zhou, J Li, J Li, W Wan, Y Jia
Journal of international medical research, 2014journals.sagepub.com
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of Delta-like 1 ligand (DLL1) in cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF) and serum, in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Methods Patients with a definite
diagnosis of central nervous system infection (TBM, viral meningitis/encephalitis or bacterial
meningitis) were prospectively enrolled alongside patients with intracranial metastatic
tumour and patients with no diagnosis (who served as controls). DLL1 content in CSF and
serum was measured quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; analyses were�…
Objective
To investigate the diagnostic value of Delta-like 1 ligand (DLL1) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, in tuberculous meningitis (TBM).
Methods
Patients with a definite diagnosis of central nervous system infection (TBM, viral meningitis/encephalitis or bacterial meningitis) were prospectively enrolled alongside patients with intracranial metastatic tumour and patients with no diagnosis (who served as controls). DLL1 content in CSF and serum was measured quantitatively by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; analyses were blinded.
Results
A total of 173 patients were enrolled: 62 with TBM; 38 with viral meningitis/encephalitis; 26 with bacterial meningitis; 17 with intracranial metastatic tumour; 30 with no diagnosis. CSF DLL1 content was highest for TBM; there were no differences in CSF DLL1 between the other groups. Serum DLL1 content was highest for the TBM and intracranial metastatic tumour groups, with significant differences between the TBM group and the viral meningitis/encephalitis, bacterial meningitis and nondiagnosed groups. There were no differences in serum DLL1 between the viral meningitis/encephalitis, bacterial meningitis and nondiagnosed groups, or between the TBM group and the tumour group.
Conclusion
As a new biomarker, DLL1 may be of great clinical importance in the diagnosis of TBM.
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