What are the findings of CSF study in various disease conditions ?

Normal CSFfindings:

•   Pressure:- 50 – 250 mm of water
•  Colour:- colourless, crystal clear
•  White cell count:- 0 – 4/mm³
•   Red cell count:- 0 – 4/mm³
•   Glucose:- >60% of blood level
•   Protein:- <0.45g/L
•   Microbiology:- sterile
• Oligoclonal band: Negative

CSF in Subarachnoid haemorrhage:

• Pressure:- increased
• Colour:- blood-stained, xanthochromic
•   White cell count:- normal or slightly raised
•   Red cell count:- raised
•   Glucose:- normal
• Protein:- increased
• Microbiology:- sterile
• Oligoclonal band: Negative

CSF in Acute bacterial meningitis:

• Pressure:- normal/increased
• Colour:- turbid/cloudy
• White cell count:- 1000-5000/mm³,  predominantly polymorphs                      
•  Red cell count:- normal
• Glucose:- decreased
• Protein:- increased
• Microbiology:-organisms on Gram stain and/or culture
• Oligoclonal band: Can be positive

CSF in Viral meningitis:

• Pressure:-normal
• Colour:- colourless, crystal clear
• White cell count:- 10-2000/mm³,      predominantly lymphocytes
• Red cell count:- normal
• Glucose:- normal
• Protein:- normal/increased
• Microbiology:- sterile/virus detected
• Oligoclonal band: Can be positive

CSF in tubercular meningitis:

• Pressure:- normal/increased
• Colour:- clear/cloudy
• White cell count:- 50-5000/mm³,    predominantly lymphocytes
• Red cell count:- normal
• Glucose:- decreased
• Protein:- increased
• Microbiology:- Z-N stain/auramine stain or culture positive for AFB
• Oligoclonal band: Can be positive

CSF in multiple sclerosis:

• Pressure: Normal
• Colour: Clear
• Red Cell Count: Normal
• White cell count: 0-50/mm³
• Glucose: Normal
• Protein: Normal / increased
• Microbiology: Sterile
• Oligoclonal band: Often positive