CSF Interpretation Tool: Compares CSF profiles across meningitis types and provides corrections for traumatic taps (blood contamination).
Standard Diagnostic Patterns
Type
WBC
Diff
Prot
Gluc
Normal
< 5
Lymphs
15-45
50-80
Bacterial
> 1000
Neutros (>80%)
> 100
< 40
Viral
10-500
Lymphs
45-100
Normal
Fungal/TB
10-500
Lymphs
> 100
< 40
Traumatic Tap Correction
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
Diagnostic Patterns
Bacterial Meningitis
["Pressure: Elevated (>200 mmH2O)","WBC: Very high (>1000/μL)","Differential: Neutrophil predominance (>80%)","Protein: High (>100 mg/dL)","Glucose: Low (<40 mg/dL or <40% of serum)"]
Viral (Aseptic) Meningitis
["Pressure: Normal or slightly elevated","WBC: Elevated (10–500/μL)","Differential: Lymphocyte predominance (late)","Protein: Normal to slightly high","Glucose: Normal"]
Fungal / TB Meningitis
["Pressure: Elevated","WBC: Elevated (10–500/μL)","Differential: Lymphocyte predominance","Protein: Very High (>100–500 mg/dL)","Glucose: Low (<40 mg/dL)"]
Section 2
Corrections
Traumatic Tap (RBC Adjustment)
Subtract 1 WBC for every 500–1,000 RBCs in the CSF to account for blood contamination.
