If a patient has meningitis, what would the expected findings in the CSF include for pressure, WBC count, protein, and glucose levels?

In cases of meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis typically reveals characteristic changes that reflect the inflammatory process occurring in the central nervous system. One of the hallmark findings is an increase in CSF pressure due to the swelling and irritation of the meninges.

The white blood cell (WBC) count is also elevated, primarily due to the presence of leukocytes that respond to the infection. In bacterial meningitis, you may see a significant increase in neutrophils, while viral meningitis tends to show a predominance of lymphocytes, yet in both scenarios, the WBC count is above normal.

Additionally, protein levels in the CSF are increased as a consequence of the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier and the presence of inflammatory proteins. This elevated protein level helps to distinguish meningitis from other conditions affecting the CNS.

On the other hand, glucose levels in the CSF are typically decreased in bacterial meningitis because bacteria consume glucose for metabolism. In viral meningitis, glucose levels may remain normal, but in both cases, it is often lower than normal in bacterial meningitis.

Thus, the expected findings in CSF for a patient with meningitis would be increased pressure, increased white cell count, increased protein,