A systematic review of cases of meningitis in the absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis on lumbar puncture.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Definitive diagnosis of meningitis is made by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) obtained from a lumbar puncture (LP), which may take days. A timelier diagnostic clue of meningitis is pleocytosis on CSF analysis. However, meningitis may occur in the absence of pleocytosis on CSF. Areas of Uncertainty: A diagnosis of meningitis seems less likely without pleocytosis on CSF, leading clinicians to prematurely exclude this. Further, there is little available literature on the subject.

Methods

Ovid/Medline and Google Scholar search was conducted for cases of CSF culture-confirmed meningitis with lack of pleocytosis. Inclusion criterion was reported cases of CSF culture-positive or PCR positive meningitis in the absence of pl

SUBMITTER: Troendle M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6683453 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature