Early (chemical) diagnosis of bacterial meningitis--cerebrospinal fluid glucose, lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase compared.

Both lactate and lactate dehydrogenase are more sensitive as early indicators of bacterial meningitis than is glucose, and both appear to help differentiate aseptic from bacterial meningitis. In selected cases, lactate dehydrogenase may be more sensitive than lactate. We also give reference intervals for cerebrospinal fluid cell count, glucose, lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase.