Zulfiqar Rana, MD, MPH, FACP

Patients with early bacterial meningitis might not have CSF pleocytosis. Heparin-binding protein is a promising new biomarker that might assist with early identification of bacterial meningitis in adults. HBP might play the same role in bacterial meningitis that D-dimer does in venous thromboembolic disease. Pending larger studies, an HBP level >20 ng/mL should prompt empirical therapy for bacterial meningitis while awaiting results of CSF culture and immunoassays.

Heparin-Binding Protein: A New Biomarker for Bacterial Meningitis – Emergency Medicine.