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Table 191-1

Cerebrospinal Fluid Abnormalities in Bacterial Meningitis

Opening pressure>180 mmH2O
White blood cells10/µL to 10,000/µL; neutrophils predominate
Red blood cellsAbsent in nontraumatic tap
Glucose<2.2 mmol/L (<40 mg/dL)
CSF/serum glucose<0.4
Protein>0.45 g/L (>45 mg/dL)
Gram's stainPositive in >60%
CulturePositive in >80%
Latex agglutinationMay be positive in patients with meningitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Escherichia coli, group B streptococci
Limulus lysatePositive in cases of gram-negative meningitis
PCRDetects bacterial DNA