In the present study, we prospectively enrolled CNS infection patients, including BM, TBM, CM, and hospitalized controls (HC) with no CNS infection and normal CSF examination findings, to detect CSF NGAL levels and evaluate the value of CSF NGAL in distinguishing BM from two other clinically common types of meningitis (TBM and CM), as well as its significance in monitoring antibiotic therapy for BM. This evidence concerns the gene LCN2 and cutaneous mastocytosis.