Cerebrospinal Fluid (Microbiology)

Question 1

Cerebrospinal fluid test results that are most consistent with viral meningitis include:

A) decreased protein level
B) increased glucose level
C) increased lactate level
D) increased mononuclear leukocyte count

Answer 1

D) increased mononuclear leukocyte count

Question 2

The organisms most commonly associated with neonatal purulent meningitis is:

A) Neisseria meningitidis
B) Streptococcus pneumoniae
C) group B streptococci
D) Haemophilus influenzae

Answer 2

C) group B streptococci

Question 3

Beta-hemolytic gram-positive cocci were isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a 2-day-old infant with signs of meningitis. The isolate grew on sheep blood agar under aerobic conditions and was resistant to a bacitracin disc. Which of the following should be performed for the identification of the organism?

A) oxidase production
B) catalase formation
C) latex antigen grouping
D) esculin hydrolysis

Answer 3

C) latex antigen grouping

Question 4

A four year old is admitted with symptoms of meningitis, and a Gram stain of the cerebrospinal fluid reveals small, pleomorphic, gram-negative coccobacilli. After 24 hrs incubatio at 35 degrees C, small, moist, gray colonies, which are oxidase variable, are found on the chocolate agar plate only. Which of the following biochemical data would be consistent with this isolate?

A)
CTA dextrose: pos
CTA maltose: pos
ONPG: neg

B)
Sodium hippurate hydrolsis: pos
A disc: neg
CAMP test: pos

C)
X factor: no growth
V factor: no growth
XV factor: growth
horse blood: no hemolysis

D)
catalase: pos
esculin hydrolysis: pos
methyl red: pos
“umbrella” motiity at room temp

Answer 4

C)
X factor: no growth
V factor: no growth
XV factor: growth
horse blood: no hemolysis

Question 5

A technologist is reading a Gram stain from a CSF and observes many intracellular gram-negative diplococci. Which set of chemistry and hematology CSF results would most likely be seen if someone wit this type of infection?

CSF A
WBC: increased
glucose: increased
protein: increased

CSF B
WBC: decreased
glucose: decreased
protein: decreased

CSF C
WBC: increased
glucose: decreased
protein: increased

CSF D
WBC: decreased
glucose: increased
protein: decreased

A
B
C
D

Answer 5

CSF C
WBC: increased
glucose: decreased
protein: increased

Question 6

An 18 year old boy is admitted to the hospital with suspected meningitis. He is lethargic and present with a rigid neck. He has not had most of the recommended caccines from childhood to now. Gram stain of his spinal fluid shows many PMNS with intra and exra cellular gram-negative diplococci. The suspected pathogen is:

A) Listeria monocytogenes
B) Haemophilus influenzae
C) Streptococcus agalactiae
D) Neisseria meningitidis

Answer 6

D) Neisseria meningitidis