What CSF values are typically seen in bacterial meningitis?

In bacterial meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis reveals distinctive changes that are crucial for diagnosis. One of the hallmark findings in bacterial infections is an increase in opening pressure, which can reflect increased intracranial pressure due to the inflammatory response. In addition to this, there is typically an increase in protein levels. This rise in protein is due to the presence of bacteria and the resultant inflammatory response, leading to elevated levels of proteins such as immunoglobulins.

Most characteristically, CSF glucose levels are decreased in bacterial meningitis. This occurs because bacteria consume glucose for their metabolism, and the inflammatory cells also utilize glucose, leading to lower levels in the CSF circulation.

The combination of these factors—elevated opening pressure, increased protein concentration, and decreased glucose levels—provides the key diagnostic indicators that help differentiate bacterial meningitis from other types, such as viral meningitis, which often presents with normal glucose levels and a different white blood cell profile. The understanding of these CSF values is critical for guiding treatment decisions and determining the severity of the infection.