Association of cigarette smoking with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers of insulin sensitivity and neurodegeneration.

INTRODUCTION: Cigarette smoking increases both the risk for insulin resistance and amyloid-ß (Aß) aggregation, and impaired brain insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling might increase risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to investigate the association among cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) insulin sensitivity/IGF1, glucose/lactate, and Aß42 and further explore whether insulin sensitivity contributed to the risk for AD in active smokers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, levels of insulin, IGF1, and lactate/glucose of 75 active smokers and 78 nonsmokers in CSF were measured. Three polymorphisms regulating IGF1 were genotyped. Analysis of variance was used to compare differences of variables between groups. Partial correlation was performed to test the relationship between CSF biomarkers and smoking status. General linear models were applied to test the interaction of the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms and cigarette smoking on CSF IGF1 levels. RESULTS: In the CSF from active smokers, IGF1 and lactate levels were significantly lower (p = .016 and p = .010, respectively), whereas Aß42 (derived from our earlier research) and insulin levels were significantly higher (p < .001 and p = .022, respectively) as compared to the CSF from nonsmokers. The AG + GG genotype of rs6218 in active smokers had a significant effect on lower CSF IGF1 levels (p = .004) and lower CSF insulin levels in nonsmokers (p = .016). CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking as the "at-risk" factor for AD might be due to lower cerebral insulin sensitivity in CSF, and the subjects with rs6218G allele seem to be more susceptible to the neurodegenerative risks for cigarette smoking.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis of metabolites is not correlated to microdialysis measurements in acute brain injured patients.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral microdialysis (CMD) has become an established bedside monitoring modality but its implementation remains complex and costly and is therefore performed only in a few well-trained academic centers. This study investigated the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CMD glucose and lactate concentrations. METHODS: Two centers retrospective study of prospectively collected data. Consecutive adult (>18 years) acutely brain injured patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit between 2010 and 2021 were eligible if CSF and CMD glucose and lactate concentrations were concomitantly measured at least once. RESULTS: Of 113 patients being monitored with an external ventricular drainage and CMD, 49 patients (25 from Innsbruck and 24 from Brussels) were eligible for the final analysis, including a total of 96 measurements. Median CMD glucose and lactate concentrations were 1.15 (0.51-1.57) mmol/L and 3.44 (2.24-5.37) mmol/L, respectively; median CSF glucose and lactate concentrations were 4.67 (4.03-5.34) mmol/L and 3.40 (2.85-4.10) mmol/L, respectively. For the first measurements, no correlation between CSF and CMD glucose concentrations (R2 <0.01; p = 0.95) and CSF and CMD lactate concentrations (R2 =0.16; p = 0.09) was found. Considering all measurements, the repeated measure correlation analysis also showed no correlation for glucose (rrm = -0.01; 95% Confidence Intervals -0.306 to 0.281; p = 0.93) and lactate (rrm = -0.11; 95% Confidence Intervals -0.424 to 0.236; p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: In this study including acute brain injured patients, no correlation between CSF and brain tissue measurements of glucose and lactate was observed. As such, CSF measurements of such metabolites cannot replace CMD findings.

Association between cerebrospinal fluid parameters and developmental and neurological status in glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: In glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (Glut1DS), cerebrospinal fluid glucose (CSFG) and CSFG to blood glucose ratio (CBGR) show significant differences among groups classified by phenotype or genotype. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between these biochemical parameters and Glut1DS severity. METHODS: The medical records of 45 patients who visited Osaka University Hospital between March 2004 and December 2021 were retrospectively examined. Neurological status was determined using the developmental quotient (DQ), assessed using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development 2001, and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). CSF parameters included CSFG, CBGR, and CSF lactate (CSFL). RESULTS: CSF was collected from 41 patients, and DQ and SARA were assessed in 24 and 27 patients, respectively. Simple regression analysis showed moderate associations between neurological status and biochemical parameters. CSFG resulted in a higher R2 than CBGR in these analyses. CSF parameters acquired during the first year of life were not comparable to those acquired later. CSFL was measured in 16 patients (DQ and SARA in 11 and 14 patients, respectively). Although simple regression analysis also showed moderate associations between neurological status and CSFG and CSFL, the multiple regression analysis for DQ and SARA resulted in strong associations through the use of a combination of CSFG and CSFL as explanatory variables. CONCLUSION: The severity of Glut1DS can be predicted from CSF parameters. Glucose and lactate are independent contributors to the developmental and neurological status in Glut1DS.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid Lactate and Glucose in HIV-Associated Tuberculosis Meningitis.

The role of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate in tuberculosis meningitis (TBM) diagnosis and prognosis is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of CSF lactate alone and in combination with CSF glucose in predicting a diagnosis of TBM and 14-day survival. HIV-positive Ugandan adults were investigated for suspected meningitis. The baseline CSF tests included smear microscopy; Gram stain; cell count; protein; and point-of-care glucose, lactate, and cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) assays. Where CrAg was negative or there was suspicion of TBM, a CSF Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) test was performed. We recorded baseline demographic and clinical data and 2-week outcomes. Of 667 patients, 25% (n = 166) had TBM, and of these, 49 had definite, 47 probable, and 70 possible TBM. CSF lactate was higher in patients with definite TBM (8.0 mmol/L; interquartile ratio [IQR], 6.1 to 9.8 mmol/L) than in those with probable TBM (3.4 [IQR, 2.5 to 7.0] mmol/L), possible TBM (2.6 [IQR 2.1 to 3.8] mmol/L), and non-TBM disease (3.5 [IQR 2.5 to 5.0] mmol/L). A 2-fold increase in CSF lactate was associated with 8-fold increased odds of definite TBM (odds ratio, 8.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6 to 19.1; P < 0.01) and 2-fold increased odds of definite/probable TBM (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.7; P < 0.001). At a cut point of >5.5 mmol/L, CSF lactate could be used to diagnose definite TBM with a sensitivity of 87.7%, specificity of 80.7%, and a negative predictive value of 98.8%. CSF lactate was not predictive of 2-week mortality. IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis meningitis (TBM) is the most severe form of tuberculosis, and its fatality is largely due to delays in diagnosis. The role of CSF lactate has not been evaluated in patients with HIV presenting with signs and symptoms of meningitis. In this study, using a point-of-care handheld lactate machine in patients with HIV-associated meningitis, we showed that high baseline CSF lactate (>5.5 mmol) may be used to rapidly identify patients with TBM and shorten the time to initiate treatment with a similar performance to the Xpert Ultra assay for definite TBM. Elevated CSF lactate levels, however, were not associated with increased 2-week mortality in patients with HIV-associated TBM. Due to moderate specificity, other etiologies of meningitis should be investigated.

Reassessing the Value of CSF Protein and Glucose Measurement in Pediatric Infectious Meningitis.

OBJECTIVES: Infectious meningitis (IM) in US children is increasingly rare and new rapid multiplex PCR-based testing is increasingly available. We evaluated the added value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein and glucose tests to predict IM when compared with information provided by CSF white blood cell count (WBC) and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CSF results from October 2015 to August 2017 in patients 0 to 18 years at a US children's hospital. Noninfectious evaluations were excluded. Test characteristics were calculated for CSF WBC, protein, and glucose in isolation and in parallel for prediction of microbiologically confirmed IM. Chart review was performed to identify consideration of protein and glucose in medical decision-making (MDM). RESULTS: We identified 735 patients including 446 <2 months; 45 (6.1%) had microbiologically-confirmed IM, including 23 (5.2%) age <2 months. Multiplex PCR and/or CSF WBC identified all IM patients. When added to CSF WBC, measurement of glucose made no contribution to sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) or negative predictive value (NPV), and protein had no impact on sensitivity and decreased the specificity, PPV, and NPV compared with CSF WBC alone. Abnormal protein was documented in MDM in 6 (0.8%) patients, all of whom had elevated WBC counts also cited. Glucose was not mentioned in MDM. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR testing and WBC may be sufficient to predict meningitis in children in low incidence settings. Protein and glucose did not contribute significant additional information. More intentional use of protein and glucose testing in patients with suspected IM may achieve higher value care.

Routine cerebrospinal fluid parameters as biomarkers in first-episode psychosis: A prospective observational study.

In recent years, multiple studies have investigated the role of biomarkers in first-episode psychosis (FEP) to facilitate early diagnosis, disease stratification, therapeutic choice and outcome prediction. Few studies have focused on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) investigations. In this prospective observational study, 95 FEP inpatients were followed up for one year. A lumbar puncture was performed at index admission (baseline) to study the CSF parameters (glucose, total proteins, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], and pleocytosis). At the baseline visit, the clinical assessment included prodromal (psychotic and non-psychotic) symptoms before the psychotic outbreak and psychopathology at admission. The SCID-I was administered to obtain a clinical diagnosis at baseline and at 12 months. The relationship between prodromal and psychopathology symptoms at the baseline visit was tested with multiple linear regression. Multinomial logistic regression was also used to explore the association between CSF biomarkers and longitudinal diagnoses at follow-up (schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder vs unipolar/bipolar depression vs other psychoses). Higher CSF glucose was associated with depressive (Standardized beta = 0.27, p = 0.041) and disorganized/concrete symptoms (Standardized beta = 0.33, p = 0.023) and lower CSF LDH was associated with prodromal symptoms (Standardized beta = -0.25, p = 0.042). Lower LDH concentrations were also associated with social withdrawal (r = -0.342, p = 0.001). CSF glucose was a predictor of the long-term diagnosis (lower CSF concentrations were associated with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder diagnoses [OR = 0.88, CI95%: 0.77-0.99). Our study suggests that CSF biomarkers that involve bioenergetic systems are associated with prodromal symptoms and the phenotype of psychotic disorders during the early stages of the disease.

Elevated blood and cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels affect the severity and short-term prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the correlation of elevated glucose levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid with the progression and short-term prognosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). METHODS: The medical records of 982 patients who were diagnosed with GBS in 31 representative tertiary hospitals, located in 14 provinces in southern China, were collected and retrospectively reviewed. Patients were grouped according to the levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose, as well as the concentration of blood hemoglobinAlc (HbA1c). The Hughes grade scale was used to quantify functional outcomes. RESULTS: Compared to patients with normal FPG and CSF glucose levels, those in the high FPG and high CSF glucose groups were characterized by a higher proportion of severe patients (HFGS ≥ 3) at admission (58.8 vs. 73.1, P = 0.000; 57.6 vs. 71.2, P = 0.000), at nadir (67.4 vs. 83.0, P = 0.000; 66.2 vs. 80.4, P = 0.000), and at discharge (29.8 vs. 46.3, P = 0.000; 26.4 vs. 45.0, P = 0.000). Patients in the high HbA1c group also had more severe disability at admission (74.6 vs. 56.1, P = 0.005) and at nadir (80.3 vs. 64.3, P = 0.012) compared to the normal HbA1c group. Moreover, elevated levels of FPG and CSF glucose were significantly correlated with more severe disability at admission, at nadir, and at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that elevated glucose levels in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid were associated with the severity and short-term prognosis of GBS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: chicTR-RRc-17,014,152. ABBREVIATIONS: GBS, Guillain-Barré syndrome; FPG, fasting plasma glucose; CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; HFGS, Hughes Functional Grading Scale; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c. DM, diabetes mellitus; NCS, nerve conduction study; AIDP, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; AMAN, acute motor axonal neuropathy; AMSAN, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy; MV, mechanical ventilation.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is a diagnostic tool for many conditions affecting the central nervous system. Urgent indications for lumbar puncture include suspected central nervous system infection or subarachnoid hemorrhage. CSF analysis is not necessarily diagnostic but can be useful in the evaluation of other neurologic conditions, such as spontaneous intracranial hypotension, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and malignancy. Bacterial meningitis has a high mortality rate and characteristic effects on CSF white blood cell counts, CSF protein levels, and the CSF:serum glucose ratio. CSF culture can identify causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivities. Viral meningitis can present similarly to bacterial meningitis but usually has a low mortality rate. Adjunctive tests such as CSF lactate measurement, latex agglutination, and polymerase chain reaction testing can help differentiate between bacterial and viral causes of meningitis. Immunocompromised patients may have meningitis caused by tuberculosis, neurosyphilis, or fungal or parasitic infections. Subarachnoid hemorrhage has a high mortality rate, and rapid diagnosis is key to improve outcomes. Computed tomography of the head is nearly 100% sensitive for subarachnoid hemorrhage in the first six hours after symptom onset, but CSF analysis may be required if there is a delay in presentation or if imaging findings are equivocal. Xanthochromia and an elevated red blood cell count are characteristic CSF findings in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis can mimic central nervous system infection. It has a poor prognosis, and large-volume CSF cytology is diagnostic.

[A case of nasal discharge resulting in recurrent bacterial meningitis].

A 47-year-old man who was previously hospitalized three times due to bacterial meningitis experienced a headache and posterior neck pain in May. He was admitted to our hospital because of a fever 3 h later. He was fully conscious and febrile, with a headache and signs of meningeal irritation. A cerebrospinal fluid examination showed an increased number of cells with polynuclear cell predominance and decreased glucose levels, leading to the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. Steroid and antibiotic treatment was initiated, at which time, large amounts of nasal discharge were observed. Cisternal scintigraphy was performed, and cerebrospinal fluid was detected in the nasal discharge. The cause was idiopathic, and endoscopic repair was performed. The nasal fluid leakage was suggested to be the cause of the recurrent bacterial meningitis in this case.

Self-Assembled Au Nanoparticle Arrays for Precise Metabolic Assay of Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Precise and rapid monitoring of metabolites in biofluids is a desirable but unmet goal for disease diagnosis and management. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) exhibits advantages in metabolite analysis. However, the low accuracy in quantification of the technique limits its transformation to clinical usage. We report herein the use of Au nanoparticle arrays self-assembled at liquid-liquid interfaces for mass spectrometry (MS)-based quantitative biofluids metabolic profiling. The two-dimensional arrays feature uniformly and closely packed Au nanoparticles with 3 nm interparticle gaps. The experimental study and theoretical simulation show that the arrays exhibit high photothermal conversion and heat confinement effects, which enhance the laser desorption/ionization efficacy. With the nanoscale roughness, the AuNP arrays as laser desorption/ionization substrates can interrupt the coffee-ring effect during droplet evaporation. Therefore, high reproducibility (RSD <5%) is obtained, enabling accurate quantitative analysis of diverse metabolites from 1 µL of biofluids in seconds. By quantifying glucose in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), it allows us to identify patients with brain infection and rapidly evaluate the clinical therapy response. Consequently, the method shows potential in advanced metabolite analysis and biomedical diagnostics.

D-Glucose uptake and clearance in the tauopathy Alzheimer's disease mouse brain detected by on-resonance variable delay multiple pulse MRI.

In this study, we applied on-resonance variable delay multiple pulse (onVDMP) MRI to study D-glucose uptake in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tauopathy and demonstrated its feasibility in discriminating AD mice from wild-type mice. The D-glucose uptake in the cortex of AD mice (1.70 ± 1.33%) was significantly reduced compared to that of wild-type mice (5.42 ± 0.70%, p = 0.0051). Also, a slower D-glucose uptake rate was found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD mice (0.08 ± 0.01 min-1) compared to their wild-type counterpart (0.56 ± 0.1 min-1, p < 0.001), which suggests the presence of an impaired glucose transporter on both blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers of these AD mice. Clearance of D-glucose was observed in the CSF of wild-type mice but not AD mice, which suggests dysfunction of the glymphatic system in the AD mice. The results in this study indicate that onVDMP MRI could be a cost-effective and widely available method for simultaneously evaluating glucose transporter and glymphatic function of AD. This study also suggests that tau protein affects the D-glucose uptake and glymphatic impairment in AD at a time point preceding neurofibrillary tangle pathology.

Diagnostic yield of capillary compared to venous glucose in the diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia in children: A prospective, observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The ratio of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and blood glucose is of major relevance, conducting to the diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia, which is a sign of neuroinfection, as well as a number of neurological diseases of genetic or neoplastic etiology. Glucose in capillary sample (glucometry) is a low cost, readily available technique, as compared to venous glucose. This study aims to compare glucometry to venous glucose in the diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia in pediatric population. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study based on data obtained from lumbar punctures in the period from February 2017 to January 2019 in a specialized pediatric institution in Colombia. RESULTS: 97 patients were analyzed, aged 1 month to 17 years old, mean 7.67 years, 52 (53.61%) were female. 26 (26.8%) were diagnosed with hypoglycorrhachia. Pearson correlation coefficient for absolute venous and capillary glucose was 0.54, and 0.55 for the ratios of CSF glucose/venous glucose and CSF glucose/glucometry, which support a linear correlation between the variables in both, absolute values and ratios. Intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated for both, the venous glucose and glucometry ratios, which was 0.52, revealing a moderate agreement among the tests. Sensitivity and specificity of CSF glucose/glucometry, as compared to gold standard are 73.1% and 60.6% respectively; whereas predictive positive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), were 40.4% and 86.0%. CONCLUSION: Glucometry cannot replace the glucose in venous sample in the diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia in children.

Transient hypoglycorrhachia with paroxysmal abnormal eye movement in early infancy.

Paroxysmal abnormal eye movement in early infancy is one of the initial symptoms of glucose transporter 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS). We describe four early infants with transient hypoglycorrhachia presenting with abnormal eye movements. Their symptoms disappeared after the introduction of a ketogenic diet (KD), and their development was normal. Since no variants in SLC2A1 were detected, the CSF-to-blood glucose ratios (C/B) were re-examined, and within normal range. None of the four patients displayed recurrent symptoms after withdrawal from the KD. Because long-term KD has potential adverse effects and could affect the quality of life of patients and their families, re-examination of CSF glucose during late infancy should be considered in the case of absence of the SLC2A1 pathogenic variant.

[Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presented with rapidly progressive myelopathy, longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion, pleocytosis with polymorphonuclear predominance, and decreased cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels: a case report].

A 75-year-old woman developed low back pain, weakness of the lower extremities, and urinary retention. On day 7 after the onset of symptoms, she was brought to the emergency department of our hospital by an ambulance because of progressive weakness of both lower extremities. Spine MRI showed longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion (LESCL) at the Th8-Th11 spinal cord level and flow voids around the lesions. Lumbar puncture revealed a normal opening pressure, yellowish appearance, pleocytosis with polymorphonuclear predominance, and decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose levels. Based on the rapidly progressing myelopathy, LESCL, and CSF findings, we initially diagnosed the patient with myelitis and administered acyclovir and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin on day 7. Spine MRI with gadolinium-enhancement showed longitudinally extending flow voids of the thoracic cord, and digital subtraction arteriogram (DSA) revealed arteriovenous shunt on the dura with dilated and tortuous intradural veins. We finally diagnosed her with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF). Cases of SDAVF might be initially misdiagnosed as myelitis because of showing rapid progressive myelopathy, pleocytosis with polymorphonuclear predominance, and decreased CSF glucose levels. Lumbar puncture and steroid administration for the cases of SDAVF could aggravate the patient's neurological symptoms. Therefore, lumbar puncture and initiation of immunotherapy should be avoided until SDAVF is completely excluded in patients with suspected myelitis on spine MRI without gadolinium-enhancement, even if their neurological symptoms progress rapidly.

Comment on: Sensitivity and specificity of cerebrospinal fluid glucose measurement by an amperometric glucometer.

[No Abstract Available].

Erratum: Sensitivity and specificity of cerebrospinal fluid glucose measurement by an amperometric glucometer.

[No Abstract Available].

Sensitivity and specificity of cerebrospinal fluid glucose measurement by an amperometric glucometer.

OBJECTIVES: To provide more data regarding the role of an amperometric glucometer in diagnosing meningitis. Methods: This is a prospective study conducted at the Pediatric and Neonatology Department, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif, Saudi Arabia between March 2017 and September 2018. We measured glucose concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood using a central laboratory and amperometric glucometer (AG). We compared CSF/blood glucose ratios obtained in a central laboratory from clinical bedside examination with a glucometer, and calculated the sensitivity and specificity for detecting cases of meningitis. Results: A total of 101 patients with clinical suspicion of meningitis were recruited for CSF sampling. Of 101 CSF samples, 61 (60%) were suggestive of meningitis. Of 101 samples, 47 had hypoglycorrhachia identified by a standard laboratory, and 17% of them were also detected by AG. The correlation between CSF/blood glucose by AG and laboratory ratios was substantial (r=0.894, p  less than 0.01, 95% CI: 0.805-0.983). The AG sensitivity was 100% and specificity was 55% in pediatric cases, while in neonates the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity was 26%. Conclusion: Amperometric glucometers  can be used to detect hypoglycorrhachia accurately. This  point-of-care testing tool is easily accessible and can be used by health care providers for cases suspected of meningitis.

Lessons learnt from an old foe.

Neurotuberculosis usually responds well to standard antitubercular therapy. Some; patients have prolonged course A 11 year old boy diagnosed TBM, an immunocompetent patient, had an unusual course of illness in the form of prolonged fever, persistent hyponatremia and CSF; pleocytosis despite adequate treatment. Clinical course in the management of TBM can be; protracted with complications despite adequate therapy.

Discrepancy between ventricular and lumbar CSF in chronic meningitis.

Meningitis patient can present with various manifestation including hydrocephalus due to multiple reason. Diagnosis of meningitis mainly rely on CSF analysis which is usually obtained from lumbar puncture. In case of hydrocephalus CSF can be obtain from ventricles during VP shunt operation. Sometimes ventricular CSF can be normal in meningitis patient while lumbar CSF shows abnormality. Possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon are discussed here. Patients who present with hydrocephalus and have normal Ventricular CSF should investigated with lumbar CSF analysis in a view of delay in diagnosis and treatment.

Analysis of the Cerebrospinal Fluid at Point of Care in Resource-Limited Setting: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: In the face of an emergency, a decision on the need for a timely intervention must be made urgently especially when it has to do with the brain. This study was conducted to determine the usefulness of Urine combistix and glucometer as a "point of care" testing tool in the emergency analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in resource-limited settings. METHODOLOGY: In this pilot cross-sectional study, CSF and blood glucose were simultaneously measured using a point of care glucometer and central laboratory. The CSF protein, glucose, blood and leucocytes were also assessed using the urine combistix strips. The CSF/blood glucose ratios obtained at the bedside with a glucometer versus those obtained by the central laboratory were also compared. RESULTS: Turn-around time for glucometer and Combistix analysis was 3.5minutes (3-4mins) versus 360minutes (300- 600minutes) for the laboratory. A strong correlation was observed amongst urine Combistix values for CSF protein, blood, leucocyte and glucose with those obtained from the laboratory (ROC of 0.875, sensitivity:75% and specificity: 100%). In addition, there was significant correlation of the CSF-blood glucose ratios from both the laboratory versus glucometer. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that a combination of Combistix analysis for CSF protein, glucose, blood and leucocyte values plus a glucometer analysis of CSF and blood glucose can serve as a reliable and accurate synergistic means for early diagnosis of CSF abnormalities particularly in patients suspected to have meningitis. Finally, it provides a template on which an accurate CSF diagnostic kit can be developed.