🧠 Nervous System🔴 ApplicationCSF Analysis

Interpreting a CSF Sample

Using cerebrospinal fluid results to identify the type of meningitis.

Key points

Bacterial: cloudy, high neutrophils, high protein, low glucose (under half the blood level).
Viral: clear, lymphocytes, mildly raised protein, normal glucose.
Tuberculous or fungal: lymphocytes, high protein, low glucose, with a fibrin web in TB.
Always compare the CSF glucose with a paired blood glucose.

Bacteria eat glucose - low CSF glucose points to bacterial or TB meningitis.

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