Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis

Meningitis is associated with an imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endogenous tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs). Serum and CSF were collected prospectively from all patients with meningitis between January 2008 and December 2008 to measure the concentrations of MMP/TIMP in those patients who underwent a lumbar puncture for a presumptive diagnosis of meningitis. A total of 199 patients were enrolled into the study. The concentrations of CSF MMP‐9 and TIMP‐1 were significantly higher in the meningitis group compared with the control group (p 0.032 and p