Typical cerebrospinal fluid findings in central nervous system infections

Typical cerebrospinal fluid findings in central nervous system infections*

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TB: tuberculosis; LCMV: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.

* It is important to note that the spectrum of cerebrospinal fluid values in bacterial meningitis is so wide that the absence of one or more of these findings is of little value. Refer to the UpToDate topic reviews on bacterial meningitis for additional details.

¶ <0.6 mmol/L.

Δ 0.6 to 2.2 mmol/L.

◊ 1 to 5 g/L.

§ 0.5 to 3 g/L.

¥ Cerebrospinal fluid protein concentrations may be higher in some patients with tuberculous meningitis; concentrations >500 mg/dL are an indication of blood-brain barrier disruption or increased intracerebral production of immunoglobulins, and extremely high concentrations, in the range of 2 to 6 g/dL, may be found in association with subarachnoid block.

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REF. UpToDate 2019.07.05