Meningitis
Meningitis is an inflammation of the fluid and membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden high fever
- Stiff neck
- Severe headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Sensitivity to light
Clinical Sources
- Meningitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & TreatmentCleveland Clinic
- Bacterial Meningitis: Symptoms, Causes & TreatmentCleveland Clinic
Diagnostic Lab Tests
Tests commonly used to diagnose or monitor Meningitis:
CSF Albumin
Albumin is not produced in the central nervous system; therefore, its presence in the Cere...
HSV 1 & 2 IgG
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Type 1 and 2 IgG test detects long-term antibodies against ...
DNA TB PCR
The DNA TB PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test is a rapid molecular diagnostic tool used ...
TB GeneXpert (RT-PCR)
The TB GeneXpert is a molecular test that uses Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR...
Eosinophils
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell usually involved in allergic reactions and para...
Procalcitonin
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin. In healthy individua...
Fluid Glucose
Fluid Glucose testing measures the level of sugar in body fluids other than blood, most co...
MMR Profile (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
The MMR Profile measures the presence of IgG antibodies against three viral infections: Me...
HSV-2 (IgG, IgM)
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes. This test dete...
CSF Glucose
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Glucose is analyzed to diagnose central nervous system (CNS) pat...
VDRL Test
The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is a screening tool used to detect an...
CSF Lactate
CSF Lactate is a biomarker used to differentiate between bacterial and viral meningitis. L...
CSF Appearance
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) appearance is the initial visual macroscopic assessment of the f...
Macrophages (CSF)
In the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Differential Count, macrophages are not typically present...
Smear for Gram Stain
The Gram Stain is one of the most critical and rapid tests in microbiology. It uses a seri...
CSF Biochemical Analysis
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear, colorless liquid that bathes the brain and spinal co...
Gram's Stain
The Gram's Stain is a rapid laboratory test used to identify the general type of bacteria ...
CSF Total Protein
The CSF Total Protein measurement is a cornerstone of CSF Biochemical Analysis. Normally, ...
HSV 1 & 2 DNA Qualitative PCR
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 & 2 DNA Qualitative PCR test uses Polymerase Chain Reacti...
Monocytes
In the context of a Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) differential count, monocytes are phagocytic...
CSF Differential Count
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Differential Count identifies and quantifies the various typ...
Fluid Chlorides
Chloride is a major extracellular anion that helps maintain osmotic pressure, acid-base ba...
CSF ADA Levels
Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. It is primarily foun...
Erythrocytes
Erythrocytes (Red Blood Cells) in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) are not normally present. ...
Fluid Proteins
Fluid protein analysis is a diagnostic procedure used to determine the concentration of to...
HSV 2 IgM
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) is the primary cause of genital herpes. The IgM test i...
Fluid For C/S
The Culture and Sensitivity (C/S) test on body fluids is a critical microbiological proced...
CSF Chloride
Chloride levels in the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) generally mirror those in the blood plasm...
CSF Lymphocytes
This test measures the percentage of lymphocytes within the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF). In ...
CSF For Grams Stain
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Gram Stain is a rapid laboratory test used to detect the pre...
CSF For Culture & Sensitivity (Radiometric)
Culture and Sensitivity (C&S) of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is used to identify the specifi...
CSF Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is an enzyme released during cell...
Fluid For Culture & Sensitivity (Radiometric)
A Culture and Sensitivity (C&S) test of body fluids (such as pleural, peritoneal, pericard...
Fluid For Cell Count / Celltype
Fluid analysis for cell count and differential (cell type) involves the microscopic examin...
CSF Culture and Sensitivity
The Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Culture and Sensitivity (C/S) test is a critical diagnostic ...
CSF for Cytology
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Cytology is a specialized laboratory examination used to identif...
Neutrophils (CSF)
Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell (WBC). In the context of a CSF Differential Cou...
ADA (Adenosine Deaminase) Levels
Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. Its primary biologic...
Pandy's Test
Pandy’s test is a bedside qualitative diagnostic test used to detect elevated levels of pr...
Leptospira ELISA
The Leptospira ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a serological test designed to...
India Ink Preparation
India Ink Preparation is a rapid microscopic diagnostic test used primarily to identify th...
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