What lab tests are done for meningitis?
Meningitis blood tests A complete blood count (CBC) or total protein count check for heightened levels of certain cells and proteins that can suggest a meningitis infection. A procalcitonin blood test can also help your doctor tell if an infection is more likely caused by either bacteria or a virus.
What clinical specimen is needed for the laboratory diagnosis of N meningitidis infection?
A small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is sent to the laboratory as soon as possible for analysis. The diagnosis is suspected, when Gram-negative diplococci are seen on Gram stain of a centrifuged sample of CSF; sometimes they are located inside white blood cells.
How do you test for meningococcal meningitis?
Testing for meningococcal meningitis may include imaging techniques such as CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Other testing may include examination of the blood and/or skin. Diagnosis is made by laboratory examination of the cerebrospinal fluid that often reveals the presence of bacterial meningitis.
How can you tell if a patient is infected with Neisseria meningitidis?
Common symptoms of meningococcal meningitis include sudden fever, headache, and stiff neck. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, and confusion. Children and infants may show different signs and symptoms, such as inactivity, irritability, vomiting, or poor reflexes.
What labs are abnormal with meningitis?
In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein. CSF analysis may also help your doctor identify which bacterium caused the meningitis.
What labs are elevated with meningitis?
Blood glucose, protein, CBC (complete blood count) – to evaluate and to compare with CSF levels. Procalcitonin – growing evidence suggests that measuring blood levels of procalcitonin is useful in distinguishing bacterial from viral meningitis; a high blood level is a strong indication of bacterial meningitis.
How is meningitis diagnosed in CSF?
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). For a definitive diagnosis of meningitis, you’ll need a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In people with meningitis, the CSF often shows a low sugar (glucose) level along with an increased white blood cell count and increased protein.
How serious is Neisseria meningitidis?
Even when the disease is diagnosed early and adequate treatment is started, 8% to 15% of patients die, often within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. If untreated, meningococcal meningitis is fatal in 50% of cases and may result in brain damage, hearing loss or disability in 10% to 20% of survivors.
What causes high lymphocytes in CSF?
A viral infection can directly cause encephalitis or trigger a cascade ending in autoimmunity, with both mechanisms eventually leading to a rise in CSF lymphocyte concentration. For patients suffering from Herpes simplex virus, more than 90% are found to have lymphocytic pleocytosis of varying levels.
Are white blood cells elevated with meningitis?
* In most cases of viral meningitis, the CSF WBC is within the range of 10 to 500 cells/microL, though higher values can be seen with some viruses. Normal CSF WBC counts can be seen in enteroviral meningitis, particularly in young infants.