Guidelines
CSF Findings in CNS Infections

CSF Findings in CNS Infections

CSF Findings

WBC: 100-50,000 (mainly PMN) Protein (mg%): >40 Glucose (mg%): Reduced Pressure (mmH₂O): Increased Additional Information: Gram stain may be positive

WBC: 1-10,000 (may have more lymphocytes) Protein (mg%): >100 Glucose (mg%): Reduced Pressure (mmH₂O): Normal/increased Additional Information:

  • Gram stain may be negative
  • Culture may be sterile

WBC: 10-500 Early PMN, later lymphocytes Protein (mg%): 100-500 Glucose (mg%): Reduced Pressure (mmH₂O): Increased or may be low due to block Additional Information: AFB may be positive in CSF

WBC: 50-100 lymphocytes Protein (mg%): 50-200 Glucose (mg%): Normal/reduced Pressure (mmH₂O): Normal/slightly increased

WBC: 10-1000 Protein (mg%): Normal/slightly increased Glucose (mg%): Normal Pressure (mmH₂O): Normal/slightly increased Additional Information: CSF virology

WBC: <100 Protein (mg%): Normal Glucose (mg%): Normal Pressure (mmH₂O): Normal Additional Information: CSF virology

WBC: <10 lymphoctyes Protein (mg%): Normal Glucose (mg%): Normal Additional Information: May not be febrile

Normal Range

WBC: <30 Protein (mg%): 20-150 Glucose (mg%): 20-60 Pressure (mmH₂O): 50-100

WBC: <10 Protein (mg%): 15-45 Glucose (mg%): 70-90 Pressure (mmH₂O): 50-100

WBC: <5 Protein (mg%): 20-40 Glucose (mg%): 50-80 Pressure (mmH₂O): 70-200