Skip to main content

Table 1 Typical CSF parameters in meningitis (according to [3])

From: SOP: emergency workup in patients with suspected acute bacterial meningitis

 

Bacterial

Viral

Tuberculous

Cell count

> 1000/μla

< 1000/μlb

< 1000/μl

Cytology

Polymorphonuclear

Lymphocyticc

Mixed

CSF/serum glucose index

Decreased

Normal

Decreased

Lactate

> 3,5 mmol/l

< 3,5 mmol/l

> 3,5 mmol/l

Proteind

> 100 mg/dl

< 100 mg/dl

> 100 mg/dl

  1. aLess than 1000 cells/μl in 1/3 of patients with bacterial meningitis
  2. bIn patients with Herpes virus encephalitis, cell counts in the initially assessed CSF can be within normal limits
  3. cPolymorphonuclear cells usually dominate in patients with enteroviral meningitis and in the initial stage of viral meningitis
  4. dIndicating blood-CSF barrier disruption
Back to article page

Neurological Research and Practice

ISSN: 2524-3489

Contact us