Clinical Information

Anaerobic glycolysis markedly increases lactate concentrations. Lactate concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are increased in the presence of cerebral glycolysis or hypoxia associated with bacterial meningitis, cerebral infarction, cerebral arteriosclerosis, intracranial hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, cerebral edema, epilepsy, and inborn errors of metabolism. Lactate found in CSF is predominantly produced by central nervous system anaerobic glycolysis and is independent of blood lactate. Lactate measurement in CSF has been proposed as a test to differentiate bacterial from viral meningitis.