Meningitis patients with pneumonia: correlation between blood parameters and clinical features

Plain language summaryD-dimer has an early and rapid diagnostic value for the hypercoagulation state. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) have been widely used laboratory parameters for inflammatory diseases. In our study, we observed increased D-dimer, CRP and ESR levels in patients with meningitis, which were more pronounced in patients with meningitis complicated with pneumonia. It is worth noting that D-dimer and CRP showed a positive correlation in patients with meningitis. D-dimer, CRP and ESR in patients with meningitis can effectively monitor disease progression. Background: This research aimed to explore the possible relationship between the main experimental parameters and clinical status in meningitis patients with pneumonia infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the demographic characteristics, clinical features and laboratory parameters of meningitis patients was performed. Results: D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) exhibited good diagnostic ability for meningitis complicated with pneumonia. Additionally, we observed a positive correlation between D-dimer and CRP in cases of meningitis with pneumonia infection. D-dimer, ESR and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) were independently associated with meningitis patients with pneumonia infection. Conclusion: D-dimer, CRP, ESR and S. pneumoniae infection may effectively anticipate disease progression and adverse consequences in meningitis patients with pneumonia infection.