Cytological evaluation of CSF: A cost effective aid in early diagnosis of meningitis

• Author Details:   
• Mangal V Kulkarni
• Shulbha V. Sejekan
• Latha B
• Dayananda B S

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Introduction: CSF is a clear body fluid, occupying between arachnoid mater and the pia mater. It is formed in the choroid plexus. Infection of the meninges by various pathogens is termed as meningitis. The etiology of meningitis can be bacterial, viral and tubercular. Differentiating bacterial from non-bacterial types is important in deciding the treatment as bacterial meningitis is more prone for life threatening neurological complications and require immediate parenteral antibiotics as compared to non-bacterial antibiotics. The present study is done to evaluate the cytological findings of CSF, along with the clinical history to classify the various types of meningitis.
Materials and Methods: The present study has been undertaken in the Department of Pathology, Bowring & Lady Curzon Hospital, for a period of one year. Lumbar puncture was performed. The direct cell count was done manually using Improved Neubauer counting chamber. Sediment smears were done and stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin, Giemsa stain and special stains like India ink as and when required.
Results: The total body fluids evaluated during the study period were 385. CSF accounted for 99 samples. The range of age group varied, between new-borns to 90 years of age. Out of 99 cases of CSF fluid, 79 were normal, 15 were viral, one bacterial and four cases of Cryptococci. The cell count results were correlated with glucose and protein values accordingly.
Conclusion: This study makes an effort to use the cost effective diagnostic procedure to enable early diagnosis and prompt treatment, which in turn reduces mortality.

Keywords: CSF, Meningitis, Bacterial, Viral, Cryptococci