From the Guidelines
The cell index for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not directly provided in the given evidence, but a normal CSF cell count is generally considered to be less than 5 cells/mm^3, with pleocytosis being defined as more than 5 cells/mm^3 1. When evaluating CSF cell counts, it's essential to consider the context of the patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory findings.
- A marked pleocytosis (>50 cells/μl) suggests other pathologies, such as leptomeningeal malignancy or infectious or inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord or nerve roots 1.
- Mild pleocytosis (10–50 cells/μl) should still prompt clinicians to consider alternative diagnoses, such as infectious causes of polyradiculitis 1. The given evidence does not provide a specific formula for calculating the cell index, but it highlights the importance of interpreting CSF parameters, including cell count and protein levels, in the context of the patient's clinical presentation 1. In clinical practice, the cell index is used to determine if there is intrathecal production of immunoglobulins, which can indicate central nervous system inflammation or infection. However, based on the most recent and highest quality study 1, the focus is on interpreting CSF cell counts and protein levels to guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.
From the Research
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Cell Index
There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as none of the provided studies mention a specific "cell index" for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, the studies do discuss the composition and analysis of CSF, including white blood cell counts and other characteristics.
CSF Composition and Analysis
- CSF analysis is an important diagnostic tool for many conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) 2, 3.
- The composition of CSF can provide information on diagnosis and may be therapeutic in certain conditions 4.
- CSF white blood cell counts, protein levels, and glucose ratio can be useful in differentiating infections caused by distinct groups of pathogens 2.
- Adjunctive tests such as latex agglutination, immunological assays, and molecular reactions can help differentiate between bacterial and viral causes of meningitis 2, 3.
CSF Cell Subsets
- T cells, particularly CD4+ T cells with a central memory phenotype, are the predominant cell type in CSF 5.
- Granulocytes, B cells, and NK cells are relatively rare in CSF compared to blood 5.
- Dendritic cells, including myeloid and plasmacytoid subsets, are present in CSF, although at lower frequencies than in blood 5.