05. CSF Fluid Diagnostics

Normal

Clear

50-75% serum

<50

<5

100% lymph

5–20

Hemorrhage

Bloody or xantho

Normal or Decreased

Increased, but <1000

RBC and WBC

Same as blood

Usually increased

Bacterial meningitis

Cloudy or purulent

< 40 or

< 40% serum

45–500

100–100K

>80% PMN

Usually increased

Fungal meningitis

Clear or cloudy

20–40

25–500

25–1000

Mono and lymphs

Normal or increased

Aseptic/viral meningitis

Clear or cloudy

Normal/slight decrease

< 100

10-500

Mono/PMNs, then lymphs

Normal or increased

TB meningitis

Cloudy

< 40

200 –  2000

(very high)

100–500

Mostly lymphs, some PMN

Usually increased

Herpes encephalitis

Bloody or xantho

Normal

< 100

20–500

Mostly lymphs

Normal or increased

Neoplasm

Clear or xantho

40–80

50–1000

<100

Mostly lymphs

Usually increased

Guillain–

Barré

Clear or cloudy

Normal

Slight increase

<100

Mostly lymph

Normal

Neurosyphilis

Clear or cloudy

Normal

40–200

0-350

Mostly lymph & mono

Normal or increased