Meta-analysis identifies tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta as diagnostic biomarkers for bacterial and aseptic meningitis.

Background: Meningitis is a complex and severe acute infectious disease of the central nervous system and is caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. However, the distinction between aseptic and bacterial meningitis can be difficult for clinicians because the symptoms and the results of laboratory assays are often similar and overlapping, particularly when the use of antibiotics is administered prior to examining the cerebrospinal fluid.

Methods: We determined the accuracy of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) for the differential diagnosis between bacterial and aseptic meningitis.