CSF analysis

Question 1

Cloudy
Low glucose (< 1/2 plasma)
High protein (> 1 g/l)
White cells 10 - 5,000 polymorphs/mm³

Answer 1

Bacterial meningitis

Question 2

Clear/cloudy
60-80% of plasma glucose*
Normal/raised protein
15 - 1,000 lymphocytes/mm³

Answer 2

Viral meningitis

Question 3

Slight cloudy, fibrin web
Low glucose (< 1/2 plasma)
High protein (> 1 g/l)
30 - 300 lymphocytes/mm³

Answer 3

Tuberculous meningitis

Question 4

Cloudy
Low glucose
High protein
20 - 200 lymphocytes/mm³

Answer 4

Fungal meningitis

Question 5

Which meningitis will have high opening pressure

Answer 5

Cryptococcus meningitis (think HIV)