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===The General characteristic CSF Findings  in Fungal Meningitis:===
__NOTOC__
*Mononuclear or lymphocytic pleocytosis
{{Fungal meningitis}}
*An elevated protein concentration
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} [[User:Rim Halaby|Rim Halaby]]; {{PTD}}
*A decreased glucose concentration
==Overview==
A [[lumbar puncture]] is essential for the diagnosis of [[fungal meningitis]] and initiation of the appropriate treatment. The [[cerebrospinal fluid|cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)]] of a patient having [[fungal meningitis]] is distinguished by the presence of [[lymphocytosis]], [[Low blood sugar|low glucose level]] and high proteins level. Specific [[CSF]] stains and cultures as well as [[Serology|serologies]] help in determining the specific nature of the causative fungi.
[[Biopsy]] of skin lesions, [[chest radiography]], [[ophthalmologic]] examination, [[computed tomography]] or [[MRI]] of the brain, in addition to cultures of [[CSF]], [[blood]], and [[sputum]], may provide essential diagnostic clues.


===Other CSF Findings and Tests Specific to Particular Fungi===
==Laboratory Findings==
*''[[Aspergillus sp.]]''
===The General Characteristic CSF Findings in Fungal Meningitis:===
CSF culture
 
Analysis of the [[CSF]] in suspected [[fungal meningitis]] should include:<ref name="pmid1569350">{{cite journal| author=White M, Cirrincione C, Blevins A, Armstrong D| title=Cryptococcal meningitis: outcome in patients with AIDS and patients with neoplastic disease. | journal=J Infect Dis | year= 1992 | volume= 165 | issue= 5 | pages= 960-3 | pmid=1569350 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1569350  }} </ref><ref name="pmid23083311">{{cite journal| author=Pettit AC, Kropski JA, Castilho JL, Schmitz JE, Rauch CA, Mobley BC et al.| title=The index case for the fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2012 | volume= 367 | issue= 22 | pages= 2119-25 | pmid=23083311 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1212292 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23083311  }} </ref><ref name="pmid11051295">{{cite journal| author=Gottfredsson M, Perfect JR| title=Fungal meningitis. | journal=Semin Neurol | year= 2000 | volume= 20 | issue= 3 | pages= 307-22 | pmid=11051295 | doi=10.1055/s-2000-9394 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=11051295  }} </ref><ref name="pmid16291364">{{cite journal| author=Banarer M, Cost K, Rychwalski P, Bryant KA| title=Chronic lymphocytic meningitis in an adolescent. | journal=J Pediatr | year= 2005 | volume= 147 | issue= 5 | pages= 686-90 | pmid=16291364 | doi=10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.07.010 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=16291364  }} </ref>
====Opening pressure measurement====
This has prognostic and therapeutic value especially in [[Cryptococcal Meningitis|cryptococcal]] meningitis although it is not commonly done or recorded.
====Cell count with differential====
Most patients have [[pleocytosis|mononuclear pleocytosis]] in the range of 20 to 500 cells/mm3 however some patients have [[Polymorphonuclear cells|polymorphonuclear]] [[neutrophils]] as the predominant cell type in caese of [[aspergillosis]] and
[[eosinophilia]] when [[Cryptococcus|Cryptococcus immitis]] is suspected<ref name="pmid1569350">{{cite journal| author=White M, Cirrincione C, Blevins A, Armstrong D| title=Cryptococcal meningitis: outcome in patients with AIDS and patients with neoplastic disease. | journal=J Infect Dis | year= 1992 | volume= 165 | issue= 5 | pages= 960-3 | pmid=1569350 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=1569350  }} </ref><ref name="pmid23083311">{{cite journal| author=Pettit AC, Kropski JA, Castilho JL, Schmitz JE, Rauch CA, Mobley BC et al.| title=The index case for the fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States. | journal=N Engl J Med | year= 2012 | volume= 367 | issue= 22 | pages= 2119-25 | pmid=23083311 | doi=10.1056/NEJMoa1212292 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23083311  }} </ref>
In patients who are [[immunosuppressed]], the cell count may be markedly decreased to less than 20 cells/mm3.
====Glucose concentration====
Glucose concentrations are usually decreased by may vary depending on the clinical state of the patient.
====[[Protein]] concentrations====
[[Protein|CSF protein]] levels are usually increased
*[[Gram stain]]
* India ink
*Culture
 
===Other CSF Findings and Serology Tests Specific to Each Particular Fungi===
*''[[Aspergillus|Aspergillus spp]].''
**CSF culture may grow [[Aspergillus fumigatus]] complex or may be [[sterile]]<ref name="pmid26392507">{{cite journal| author=Morgand M, Rammaert B, Poirée S, Bougnoux ME, Tran H, Kania R et al.| title=Chronic Invasive Aspergillus Sinusitis and Otitis with Meningeal Extension Successfully Treated with Voriconazole. | journal=Antimicrob Agents Chemother | year= 2015 | volume= 59 | issue= 12 | pages= 7857-61 | pmid=26392507 | doi=10.1128/AAC.01506-15 | pmc=4649149 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26392507  }} </ref>
**Gomori-Grocott staining may reveal [[Hyphae|hyaline septate hyphae]]<ref name="pmid26392507">{{cite journal| author=Morgand M, Rammaert B, Poirée S, Bougnoux ME, Tran H, Kania R et al.| title=Chronic Invasive Aspergillus Sinusitis and Otitis with Meningeal Extension Successfully Treated with Voriconazole. | journal=Antimicrob Agents Chemother | year= 2015 | volume= 59 | issue= 12 | pages= 7857-61 | pmid=26392507 | doi=10.1128/AAC.01506-15 | pmc=4649149 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26392507  }} </ref> 
**Baseline serum and [[CSF]] 1,3-β-d-[[glucan]] (BDG) measurements  are positive whereas serum and [[CSF]] [[galactomannan]] (GM) [[antigen]] test results are negative in an ''[[Aspergillus fumigatus]]''-specific [[PCR]] assay.<ref name="pmid26392507">{{cite journal| author=Morgand M, Rammaert B, Poirée S, Bougnoux ME, Tran H, Kania R et al.| title=Chronic Invasive Aspergillus Sinusitis and Otitis with Meningeal Extension Successfully Treated with Voriconazole. | journal=Antimicrob Agents Chemother | year= 2015 | volume= 59 | issue= 12 | pages= 7857-61 | pmid=26392507 | doi=10.1128/AAC.01506-15 | pmc=4649149 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26392507  }} </ref>
*''[[Blastomyces dermatitidis]]''
*''[[Blastomyces dermatitidis]]''
Fungal stain and culture of CSF
**Fungal stain and culture of CSF
Biopsy and culture of skin, lung lesions
**[[Biopsy]] and [[Culture media|culture]] of skin and lung lesions
Antibody detection in serum
**[[Antibody]] detection in serum
*''[[Cryptococcus neoformans]]''
*''[[Cryptococcus neoformans]]''
India ink or fungal wet mount of CSF (budding yeast)
**India ink or fungal wet mount of [[CSF]] ([[Yeast|budding yeast]])
Blood and urine cultures
**[[Mucicarmine]] stain provides specific staining of the [[polysaccharide]] cell wall
Antigen detection in CSF
**[[Blood]] and [[urine]] cultures
**[[Antigen]] detection in [[CSF]]
*''[[Coccidioides immitis]]''
*''[[Coccidioides immitis]]''
Antibody detection in CSF and serum
**[[Antibody]] detection in [[CSF]] and [[serum]]
*''[[Candida sp.]]''
*''[[Candida|Candida sp.]]''
Fungal stain and culture of CSF
**Fungal stain and culture of [[CSF]]
*''[[Histoplasma capsulatum]]''
*''[[Histoplasma capsulatum]]''
Fungal stain and culture of large volumes of CSF
**Fungal stain and culture of large volumes of [[CSF]]
Antigen detection in CSF, serum, and urine
**[[Antigen]] detection in [[CSF]], serum, and urine
Antibody detection in serum, CSF
**[[Antibody]] detection in serum and [[CSF]]
*''[[Sporothrix schenckii]]''
*''[[Sporothrix schenckii]]''
Antibody detection in CSF and serum; CSF culture<ref>Koroshetz WJ. Chapter 382. Chronic and Recurrent Meningitis. In: Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, Loscalzo J,  eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 18th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012.</ref>
**[[Antibody]] detection in [[CSF]] and serum
**[[CSF]] culture<ref>Koroshetz WJ. Chapter 382. Chronic and Recurrent Meningitis. In: Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, Loscalzo J,  eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 18th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2012.</ref>
 
Laboratory findings differentiating [[fungal meningitis]] from other causes of meningitis by [[cerebrospinal fluid]] examination:<ref name="pmid23717798">{{cite journal| author=Le Rhun E, Taillibert S, Chamberlain MC| title=Carcinomatous meningitis: Leptomeningeal metastases in solid tumors. | journal=Surg Neurol Int | year= 2013 | volume= 4 | issue= Suppl 4 | pages= S265-88 | pmid=23717798 | doi=10.4103/2152-7806.111304 | pmc=3656567 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23717798  }} </ref><ref name="pmid24326618">{{cite journal| author=Chow E, Troy SB| title=The differential diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia in adult patients. | journal=Am J Med Sci | year= 2014 | volume= 348 | issue= 3 | pages= 186-90 | pmid=24326618 | doi=10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000217 | pmc=4065645 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=24326618  }} </ref><ref name="pmid22880096">{{cite journal| author=Leen WG, Willemsen MA, Wevers RA, Verbeek MM| title=Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and lactate: age-specific reference values and implications for clinical practice. | journal=PLoS One | year= 2012 | volume= 7 | issue= 8 | pages= e42745 | pmid=22880096 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0042745 | pmc=3412827 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22880096  }} </ref><ref name="pmid10654948">{{cite journal| author=Negrini B, Kelleher KJ, Wald ER| title=Cerebrospinal fluid findings in aseptic versus bacterial meningitis. | journal=Pediatrics | year= 2000 | volume= 105 | issue= 2 | pages= 316-9 | pmid=10654948 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10654948  }} </ref><ref name="pmid20610819">{{cite journal| author=Brouwer MC, Tunkel AR, van de Beek D| title=Epidemiology, diagnosis, and antimicrobial treatment of acute bacterial meningitis. | journal=Clin Microbiol Rev | year= 2010 | volume= 23 | issue= 3 | pages= 467-92 | pmid=20610819 | doi=10.1128/CMR.00070-09 | pmc=2901656 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20610819  }} </ref>
{| style="border: 0px; font-size: 90%; margin: 3px;" align=center
|+
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 150px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Cerebrospinal fluid level}}
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Normal level}}
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Bacterial meningitis}}<ref name="pmid10654948">{{cite journal| author=Negrini B, Kelleher KJ, Wald ER| title=Cerebrospinal fluid findings in aseptic versus bacterial meningitis. | journal=Pediatrics | year= 2000 | volume= 105 | issue= 2 | pages= 316-9 | pmid=10654948 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10654948  }} </ref>
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Viral meningitis}}<ref name="pmid10654948">{{cite journal| author=Negrini B, Kelleher KJ, Wald ER| title=Cerebrospinal fluid findings in aseptic versus bacterial meningitis. | journal=Pediatrics | year= 2000 | volume= 105 | issue= 2 | pages= 316-9 | pmid=10654948 | doi= | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=10654948  }} </ref>
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Fungal meningitis}}
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Tuberculous meningitis}}<ref name="pmid20146981">{{cite journal| author=Caudie C, Tholance Y, Quadrio I, Peysson S| title=[Contribution of CSF analysis to diagnosis and follow-up of tuberculous meningitis]. | journal=Ann Biol Clin (Paris) | year= 2010 | volume= 68 | issue= 1 | pages= 107-11 | pmid=20146981 | doi=10.1684/abc.2010.0407 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=20146981  }} </ref>
! style="background: #4479BA; width: 350px;" | {{fontcolor|#FFF|Malignant meningitis}}<ref name="pmid23717798">{{cite journal| author=Le Rhun E, Taillibert S, Chamberlain MC| title=Carcinomatous meningitis: Leptomeningeal metastases in solid tumors. | journal=Surg Neurol Int | year= 2013 | volume= 4 | issue= Suppl 4 | pages= S265-88 | pmid=23717798 | doi=10.4103/2152-7806.111304 | pmc=3656567 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=23717798  }} </ref>
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" | '''Cells/ul'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''< 5'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''>300'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''10-1000'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''10-500'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''50-500'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''>4'''
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" |'''Cells'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Lymphocyte]]:[[Monocyte]] 7:3'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Granulocyte]] > [[Lymphocyte]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Lymphocyte]] > [[Granulocyte]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Lymphocyte|Lympho]].>[[Granulocyte]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Lymphocyte|Lymphocytes]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Lymphocyte|Lymphocytes]]'''
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" |'''Total [[protein]] (mg/dl''')
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''45-60'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''Typically 100-500'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" | '''Normal or slightly high'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''High'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''Typically 100-200'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''>50'''
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" |'''[[Glucose]] ratio ([[CSF]]/[[Plasma|plasma)]]<ref name="pmid24326618">{{cite journal| author=Chow E, Troy SB| title=The differential diagnosis of hypoglycorrhachia in adult patients. | journal=Am J Med Sci | year= 2014 | volume= 348 | issue= 3 | pages= 186-90 | pmid=24326618 | doi=10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000217 | pmc=4065645 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=24326618  }} </ref>'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''> 0.5'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''< 0.3'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''> 0.6'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''<0.3'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''< 0.5'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''<0.5'''
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" |'''[[Lactate]] (mmols/l)<ref name="pmid22880096">{{cite journal| author=Leen WG, Willemsen MA, Wevers RA, Verbeek MM| title=Cerebrospinal fluid glucose and lactate: age-specific reference values and implications for clinical practice. | journal=PLoS One | year= 2012 | volume= 7 | issue= 8 | pages= e42745 | pmid=22880096 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0042745 | pmc=3412827 | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=22880096  }} </ref>'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''< 2.1'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''> 2.1'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''< 2.1'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''>3.2'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''> 2.1'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''>2.1'''
|-
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #DCDCDC;" |'''Others'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''ICP:6-12 (cm H2O)'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Gram stain|CSF gram stain]], [[Culture medium|CSF culture]], [[CSF]] [[Antigen|bacterial antigen]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[PCR]] of [[HSV|HSV-DNA]], [[VZV]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[Gram stain|CSF gram stain]], CSF india ink'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[PCR]] of TBC-[[DNA]]'''
| style="padding: 5px 5px; background: #F5F5F5;" |'''[[CSF]] [[tumor markers]] such as [[Alpha fetoprotein|alpha fetoproteins]], [[CEA]]'''
|-
|}
 
===Nonspecific tests===
Other nonspecific test example [[complete blood count]], [[Blood cultures|blood culture]] and [[electrolyte]] level may help in assessing the general picture of the [[patient]].
===Fungal Stains===
<gallery>
Blastomycosis.JPG|Blastomyces: Broad based budding - By Joel Mills - A feltöltő saját munkája, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=927183
Cryptococcus_neoformans_India_ink_staining.jpg|Cryptococcus: clear halo visualized by the india ink stain - Source: https://www.cdc.gov/
Histoplasma_capsulatum.jpg‎|Histoplama capsulatum - Di Photo Credit:Content Providers(s): CDC/Dr. Libero Ajello - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #4221.Note: Not all PHIL images are public domain; be sure to check copyright status and credit authors and content providers.English | Slovenščina | +/−, Pubblico dominio, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=759394
</gallery>
 
 
 
====Cryptococcosis (PAS stain)====
{{#ev:youtube|ZG0AcmtBLe4}}
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 20:08, 21 September 2017

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby; Prince Tano Djan, BSc, MBChB [2]

Overview

A lumbar puncture is essential for the diagnosis of fungal meningitis and initiation of the appropriate treatment. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a patient having fungal meningitis is distinguished by the presence of lymphocytosis, low glucose level and high proteins level. Specific CSF stains and cultures as well as serologies help in determining the specific nature of the causative fungi. Biopsy of skin lesions, chest radiography, ophthalmologic examination, computed tomography or MRI of the brain, in addition to cultures of CSF, blood, and sputum, may provide essential diagnostic clues.

Laboratory Findings

The General Characteristic CSF Findings in Fungal Meningitis:

Analysis of the CSF in suspected fungal meningitis should include:[1][2][3][4]

Opening pressure measurement

This has prognostic and therapeutic value especially in cryptococcal meningitis although it is not commonly done or recorded.

Cell count with differential

Most patients have mononuclear pleocytosis in the range of 20 to 500 cells/mm3 however some patients have polymorphonuclear neutrophils as the predominant cell type in caese of aspergillosis and eosinophilia when Cryptococcus immitis is suspected[1][2] In patients who are immunosuppressed, the cell count may be markedly decreased to less than 20 cells/mm3.

Glucose concentration

Glucose concentrations are usually decreased by may vary depending on the clinical state of the patient.

Protein concentrations

CSF protein levels are usually increased

Other CSF Findings and Serology Tests Specific to Each Particular Fungi

Laboratory findings differentiating fungal meningitis from other causes of meningitis by cerebrospinal fluid examination:[7][8][9][10][11]

Cerebrospinal fluid level Normal level Bacterial meningitis[10] Viral meningitis[10] Fungal meningitis Tuberculous meningitis[12] Malignant meningitis[7]
Cells/ul < 5 >300 10-1000 10-500 50-500 >4
Cells Lymphocyte:Monocyte 7:3 Granulocyte > Lymphocyte Lymphocyte > Granulocyte Lympho.>Granulocyte Lymphocytes Lymphocytes
Total protein (mg/dl) 45-60 Typically 100-500 Normal or slightly high High Typically 100-200 >50
Glucose ratio (CSF/plasma)[8] > 0.5 < 0.3 > 0.6 <0.3 < 0.5 <0.5
Lactate (mmols/l)[9] < 2.1 > 2.1 < 2.1 >3.2 > 2.1 >2.1
Others ICP:6-12 (cm H2O) CSF gram stain, CSF culture, CSF bacterial antigen PCR of HSV-DNA, VZV CSF gram stain, CSF india ink PCR of TBC-DNA CSF tumor markers such as alpha fetoproteins, CEA

Nonspecific tests

Other nonspecific test example complete blood count, blood culture and electrolyte level may help in assessing the general picture of the patient.

Fungal Stains


Cryptococcosis (PAS stain)

{{#ev:youtube|ZG0AcmtBLe4}}

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 White M, Cirrincione C, Blevins A, Armstrong D (1992). "Cryptococcal meningitis: outcome in patients with AIDS and patients with neoplastic disease". J Infect Dis. 165 (5): 960–3. PMID 1569350.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Pettit AC, Kropski JA, Castilho JL, Schmitz JE, Rauch CA, Mobley BC; et al. (2012). "The index case for the fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States". N Engl J Med. 367 (22): 2119–25. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1212292. PMID 23083311.
  3. Gottfredsson M, Perfect JR (2000). "Fungal meningitis". Semin Neurol. 20 (3): 307–22. doi:10.1055/s-2000-9394. PMID 11051295.
  4. Banarer M, Cost K, Rychwalski P, Bryant KA (2005). "Chronic lymphocytic meningitis in an adolescent". J Pediatr. 147 (5): 686–90. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2005.07.010. PMID 16291364.
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