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What Does This Blood Report Indicate?

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Posted on Tue, 24 Jan 2017
Twitter Tue, 24 Jan 2017 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 16 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on
Question : I had a spinal tap done. The total cell count was 124 WBC, 49 RBC, 99% lymphocytes and 1% polys. The spinal fluid chemistry showed total protein at 81 mg and glucose at 44 mg. The diagnosis was meningitis but I'm curious if this appears to be bacterial or viral.
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
viral...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the low WBC count and lymphocyte predominance indicate aseptic (viral probably) meningitis. The glucose levels have to be compared with blood glucose levels. In bacterial meningitis the levels of CSF glucose are typically less than 40% compared to the blood levels. Protein is increased in any meningitis, but usually more so in non-viral meningitis.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

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What Does This Blood Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: viral... Detailed Answer: Hello, the low WBC count and lymphocyte predominance indicate aseptic (viral probably) meningitis. The glucose levels have to be compared with blood glucose levels. In bacterial meningitis the levels of CSF glucose are typically less than 40% compared to the blood levels. Protein is increased in any meningitis, but usually more so in non-viral meningitis. Kind Regards!