Which CSF profile is most typical of bacterial meningitis?

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Multiple Choice

Which CSF profile is most typical of bacterial meningitis?

CSF findings in bacterial meningitis typically show low glucose, elevated protein, and a high lactate level. The bacteria consume glucose in the CSF and the inflammatory milieu lowers glucose availability, so CSF glucose falls. Inflammation also disrupts the blood-brain barrier, allowing more protein to leak into the CSF, so protein levels rise. The abundant neutrophils and bacterial metabolism increase lactate production, leading to elevated CSF lactate. This combination—low glucose, high protein, and high lactate—is characteristic of bacterial meningitis and helps distinguish it from viral meningitis, which usually presents with normal glucose, only mildly elevated protein, and normal lactate.

CSF findings in bacterial meningitis typically show low glucose, elevated protein, and a high lactate level. The bacteria consume glucose in the CSF and the inflammatory milieu lowers glucose availability, so CSF glucose falls. Inflammation also disrupts the blood-brain barrier, allowing more protein to leak into the CSF, so protein levels rise. The abundant neutrophils and bacterial metabolism increase lactate production, leading to elevated CSF lactate. This combination—low glucose, high protein, and high lactate—is characteristic of bacterial meningitis and helps distinguish it from viral meningitis, which usually presents with normal glucose, only mildly elevated protein, and normal lactate.

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