Characterization of CSF tryptophan metabolites in South African children with tuberculous meningitis
CSF tryptophan depletion occurs in both TBM and VM, reflecting the activation of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase as a common immune response, and is therefore not disease-specific. However, elevated downstream kynurenine metabolites indicate greater pathway activation in TBM. Quinolinic acid could serve as a potential marker for TBM; its correlation with basal enhancement and hydrocephalus, key features of TBM, further suggests its specificity to TBM.
Authors
- Shayne Mason (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2945-5768)
- A. Marceline van Furth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1666-8956)
- Regan Solomons (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5607-8443)
- Martijn van der Kuip (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1484-360X)
- Ontefetse Neo Plaatjie
Institutions
- Western Cape Department of Health (ZA)
- Stellenbosch University (ZA)
- North-West University (ZA)
- Emma Kinderziekenhuis (NL)
- University of Amsterdam (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Infectious Diseases
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108219
- Primary Topic
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00