Chloride levels in meningitis.

The blood/cerebrospinal fluid bromide ratio is sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Blood/CSF chloride (Cl-) ratios were not found to be useful in differentiating between TBM and viral and acute bacterial meningitis in 59 black children. In a study of 148 children with bacterial or viral meningitis or TBM, the majority (112) had CSF Cl- levels below the lower limit of normal. Accordingly, CSF and blood Cl- levels and the blood/CSF Cl- ratio were not found to be useful in differentiating between TBM, acute bacterial meningitis and viral meningitis.