Bacterial meningitis laboratory findings

	Meningitis main page
	Bacterial meningitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Meningitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Lumbar Puncture
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aysha Anwar, M.B.B.S [2]

Overview

Lab findings

Labortary tests which may help identify the bacterial meningitis include non specific tests and specific diagnostic tests.

Non specific tests

Non specific tests include blood tests such as complete blood count, liver function tests, renal function tests, biochemistry, and coagulation profile.

**Laboratory findings**
Test	Findings
Complete blood count	Decreased hemoglobin Decreased hematocrit Elevated CRP^[1]
White blood cell count	Elevated (children) or decreased leukocyte count (adults)
Biochemistry	Hypoglycemia Elevated creatinine Elevated ALT, AST^[2]^[3] Possible hyponatremia Acidosis: High lactate; Low bicarbonate (shock)
Coagulation	Thrombocytopenia^[1]
Urinalysis	Proteinuria hemoglobinuria (renal failure)

Specific tests

Specific diagnostic tests include lumbar puncture with CSF examination and CSF culture.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Cooper EC, Ratnam I, Mohebbi M, Leder K (2014). "Laboratory features of common causes of fever in returned travelers". J Travel Med. 21 (4): 235–9. doi:10.1111/jtm.12122. PMID 24754384.
↑ Klotz SA, Jorgensen JH, Buckwold FJ, Craven PC (1984). "Typhoid fever. An epidemic with remarkably few clinical signs and symptoms". Arch Intern Med. 144 (3): 533–7. PMID 6703825.
↑ Wang JL, Kao JH, Tseng SP, Teng LJ, Ho SW, Hsueh PR (2005). "Typhoid fever and typhoid hepatitis in Taiwan". Epidemiol Infect. 133 (6): 1073–9. doi:10.1017/S0950268805004048. PMC 2870341. PMID 16274504.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[pmid24754384-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Cooper EC, Ratnam I, Mohebbi M, Leder K (2014). "Laboratory features of common causes of fever in returned travelers". J Travel Med. 21 (4): 235–9. doi:10.1111/jtm.12122. PMID 24754384.

[pmid6703825-2] Klotz SA, Jorgensen JH, Buckwold FJ, Craven PC (1984). "Typhoid fever. An epidemic with remarkably few clinical signs and symptoms". Arch Intern Med. 144 (3): 533–7. PMID 6703825.

[pmid16274504-3] Wang JL, Kao JH, Tseng SP, Teng LJ, Ho SW, Hsueh PR (2005). "Typhoid fever and typhoid hepatitis in Taiwan". Epidemiol Infect. 133 (6): 1073–9. doi:10.1017/S0950268805004048. PMC 2870341. PMID 16274504.

[1]

[2]

[3]