Normal
Viral Meningitis
Opening Pressure
5-20
Normal or slightly raised
Appearance
Normal
'Gin' Clear
Cell Differential
Normal
Lymphocytic (mononuclear) pleocytosis
WCC (per mm3)
<3
<1000
Protein (g/L)
0.2-0.4
0.5-1
Normal - high
Normal - high
Glucose-Serum Ratio
0.5-0.66
(2.5-3.5 mmol/L)
>0.6
Lactate
Normal
Normal
Gram stain
Normal
Negative
Microscopy & culture
-
Viral culture rarely positive (<5%)
PCR
-
HSV ≥90% positive
Other
-
-