cerebrospinal fluid in tuberculous meningitis

Last reviewed 01/2018

Specifically in the CSF, there is often

  • raised pressure
  • a fibrin web
  • cloudy yellow, which may clot on standing
  • predominance of mononuclear cells (10 - 350/mm3)
  • glucose less than 60% plasma level
  • protein 1-5g/l
  • tuberculous bacilli often absent in smear