Innovative CRP Protein Test Enables Fast and Accurate Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis

Researchers at Amsterdam University Medical Centers have developed a groundbreaking diagnostic method that facilitates rapid and precise detection of bacterial meningitis. The new approach involves measuring the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cerebrospinal fluid, a protein commonly tested in blood to identify bacterial infections. Traditionally, diagnosing meningitis has been time-consuming, often delaying critical treatment and worsening patient outcomes.

Bacterial meningitis is an acute, life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate; one in six patients succumb to the disease, and half of the survivors suffer lasting neurological effects. Prompt diagnosis is essential for effective intervention. However, differentiating bacterial meningitis from other similar conditions has been challenging for clinicians, due to the lack of quick and reliable diagnostic tools.

The study, published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, describes how measuring CRP in cerebrospinal fluid can serve as a dependable indicator of bacterial meningitis. Although CRP testing is already widespread in blood analysis for bacterial infections, its application in cerebrospinal fluid had not been thoroughly explored until now.

Building on prior successful laboratory tests, researchers demonstrated that existing blood CRP measuring devices are sensitive enough to detect CRP levels in cerebrospinal fluid. This compatibility allows hospitals to use existing laboratory setups without the need for new equipment. As a result, CRP levels can be obtained within approximately half an hour after performing a lumbar puncture, enabling doctors to start appropriate treatment promptly.

Since June 2024, this new CRP test has been incorporated into routine practice at Amsterdam UMC. The team’s recent study confirms its effectiveness in diagnosing bacterial meningitis in both adult and pediatric patients, including validation from additional studies conducted at Aalborg University Hospital in Denmark. Because the test is inexpensive—costing only three to five euros—and easily implemented in laboratories with existing infrastructure, it offers an accessible and affordable solution to improve patient outcomes.

According to lead researcher Matthijs Brouwer, "All patients with bacterial meningitis exhibited elevated CRP levels in cerebrospinal fluid, while only a few patients without the infection showed similar results." He emphasizes that the test’s simplicity and speed could lead to widespread adoption across healthcare providers. This innovation represents a significant advance in the timely diagnosis and treatment of a severe condition, reducing mortality and long-term complications.

For more information, see the full study: Sabine E. Olie et al., "Validation and clinical implementation of cerebrospinal fluid C-reactive protein for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis," The Lancet Regional Health—Europe, 2025. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101309

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-crp-protein-quick-reliable-results.html