CSF Interpretation

Overview

• Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is used to identify infections affecting the central nervous system. CSF testing (particularly of proteins) also be used in the diagnosis of demyelinating diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple sclerosis.

• 	Normal	Viral	Bacterial	Fungal / TB
  Opening Pressure	5-20 cmH2O	Normal / Elevated	Elevated	Elevated
  Appearance	Clear	Clear	Turbid	Clear / Turbid / Opaque
  WBC	<5 No PMNs	10-1000	>100 >80% PMNs	50-500
  RBC	<10	<10	<10	<10
  Protein	15-45 mg/dL	Elevated	Elevated	Elevated
  Glucose	>60% serum	>60% serum	<40% serum	<40% serum
  Other		PCR for HSV/VZV	Gram stain &  culture	Fungal culture, AFB