Soluble membrane attack complex is diagnostic for intraventricular shunt infection in children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Children treated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts to manage hydrocephalus frequently develop shunt failure and/or infections, conditions that present with overlapping symptoms. The potential life-threatening nature of shunt infections requires rapid diagnosis; however, traditional microbiology is time consuming, expensive, and potentially unreliable. We set out to identify a biomarker that would identify shunt infection.

Methods

CSF was assayed for the soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC) by ELISA in patients with suspected shunt failure or infection. CSF was obtained at the time of initial surgical intervention. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic potential of sMAC in pyogenic-infected versus noninfected patients.

Results

Chi

SUBMITTER: Ramos TN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5033849 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature