What are the CSF features in keeping with a diagnosis of bacterial meningitis?

Normal
Bacterial Meningitis
Opening Pressure (cm/H2O)
5-20
>30 1
Appearance
Clear, colourless
Turbid
RBC
(per mm3)
<3
Normal
WCC
(per mm3)
<5
>500
(Up to 100,000) 1
Cell Differential
Usually lymphocytes and monocytes
Neutrophilic (polymorphonuclear) pleocytosis 1
Protein
(g/L)
0.2-0.4
>1
(High) 1
Glucose-Serum Ratio
0.5-0.66
(2.5-3.5 mmol/L)
<0.4 1
Lactate
(mmol/L)
<2.8–3.5
Elevated 1
Microscopy and Gram Stain
-
60-80% positive Gram Stain
Culture
-
Up to 80% positive
PCR
-
-
Other
-
-