The assessment of neuronal markers such as neuron specific enolase (NSE), which enables the diagnosis of meningitis infections and
its severity as well as possible development of sub-clinical lesions, could be beneficial and clinically useful. The present study
describes the determination of NSE level in the CSF of infants and children after meningitis of both bacterial and viral origins. Fifty
eight (58) eligible children between the ages of 1 day and 3 years were selected depending upon history and clinical picture. Infants
were divided into gram +ve, gram –ve and viral meningitis groups. CSF and blood samples were collected from all selected patients as
part of their routine evaluation for bacterial sepsis and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was analyzed for cell count, protein, and glucose
concentrations, NSE and cultures for bacteria and viruses as per standard procedures. Results showed marked elevation in NSE
concentrations of CSF in all meningitis groups irrespective of either viral or bacterial origin when compared with control group of
non-infected patients (NSE = 1.69 ± 0.91 ng/ml). However, mild to moderate level of elevation was also observed within the
meningitis group of viral (NSE = 20.19 ± 2.02 ng/ml) versus Nesseria meningitis group (NSE = 50.50 ± 8.96 ng/ml); viral versus
Escherichia coli (NSE = 35.80 ±6.10 ng/ml) and viral versus Streptococcus pyogens group (NSE = 23.75 ± 6.20 ng/ml). The result of
NSE being significantly elevated in meningitis patients from all etiological groups supported the hypothesis that meningitis infe
