From the Research
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Analysis Findings in Brain Abscess
- CSF analysis is a crucial diagnostic tool for central nervous system (CNS) infections, including brain abscesses 1, 2, 3.
- The CSF white cell count, lactate concentration, and total protein levels are typically elevated in patients with CNS infections, including brain abscesses 1, 2, 3.
- However, it may not always be possible to identify the underlying infective agent despite further CSF analyses, such as bacterial and fungal staining, evaluation of the blood-CSF barrier function, intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis, and oligoclonal IgG bands 1.
- Adjunctive tests, such as latex agglutination, polymerase chain reaction testing, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), can help differentiate between bacterial and viral causes of meningitis and identify the causative organism in brain abscesses 2, 3, 4.
- CSF culture can identify causative organisms and antibiotic sensitivities, which is essential for guiding treatment 2, 3, 4.
Specific Findings in Brain Abscess
- Brain abscesses can present with elevated CSF white blood cell counts, protein levels, and lactate concentration, similar to bacterial meningitis 2, 3.
- The CSF:serum glucose ratio may be decreased in brain abscesses, similar to bacterial meningitis 2.
- mNGS can be a helpful tool for early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of brain abscesses, especially those caused by rare or difficult-to-diagnose pathogens, such as Nocardia farcinica 4.