Relative expression of fibroblast growth factor-1 in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with bacterial meningitis; A Western Blot analysis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, thereby involving the arachnoid, the pia and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It is divided into viral and bacterial meningitis. For different reasons the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is very important. The examination of CSF samples may provide information about causative microorganism. The sensivity of Gram-stained specimen of CSF ranges from 60% to 90%. CSF is continuously secreted by the choroids plexus and contains growth factors which are present under specific pathological conditions. As CSF is in close contact with the extracellular space of the brain, biochemical brain modifications could be reflected in the CSF and study of growth factor expression in the CSF might identify biomarkers of meningitis. As fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) is important in neural cell survival, we studied the changes in the total protein concentration (TPC) and FGF-1 expression in the CSF of normal control and patients with meningitis using Western blott. No significant increase in the CSF TPC in the patients with bacterial meningitis has been seen when compared to control group. However, significant increase in the CSF FGF-1 expression in the patients with meningitis has been seen as compared to control group. It is suggested that FGF-1 could be significantly involved in the pathophysiology of meningitis. we have also conclude that the FGF level in the CSF may provide additional information in the differential diagnosis of meningitis.