A member asked:

Would there be a reason why doctors would think a case of meningitis is viral as opposed to bacterial if the csf cell count was 80% neutrophils and his csf glucose was low?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

Meningitis diagnosis: Medical diagnosis of any condition, including meningitis, rarely depends on any one lab test but also overall clinical presentation, symptoms, exam findings, etc. Viral meningitis often has mostly neutrophils in CSF early on, becoming mononuclear cells in a few days. It would be unusual to have very low CSF glucose in viral meningitis, but slightly low often is OK. Discuss w/ patient's doctor(s).

Answered 9/1/2015

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