$Unique_ID{BRK02158}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Tests Performed on Cerebrospinal Fluid}
$Subject{Tests Cerebrospinal Fluid spinal tap cord diseases meningitis lumbar
puncture membranes brain spinal cord bacteria fungi viruses Gram Stain
bacteria counterimmunoelectrophoresis fungal India-Ink prep acid fast strain
tubercular phase-contrast microscopy amebic headache nausea vomiting stiff
neck chills fever}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Spinal Cord*0006801.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Tests Performed on Cerebrospinal Fluid


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QUESTION:  I know that doctors take fluid from the spinal cord when they do a
spinal tap.  I need to know just what diseases are suspected when doctors do
tests with this fluid?  Can you tell me about the tests?

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ANSWER:  Some very deadly forms of meningitis can be diagnosed with lab tests
using "cerebrospinal" fluid.  This is the fluid that is drawn from the spinal
cord when your doctor performs a procedure known as a "lumbar puncture"
(spinal tap).  With meningitis, every second counts, therefore it is
imperative when the disease is suspected, that the doctor immediately obtain a
sufficient amount of fluid so tests may be started promptly.
     Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and
spinal cord.  The inflammation can be caused by a wide variety of organisms,
including bacteria, fungi and viruses.
     A test called the Gram Stain is considered one of the most reliable ways
of discovering whether there are bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid.  In this
procedure, the fluid is placed on a slide and then stained with a combination
of dyes that make the bacteria visible under the microscope.  If a doctor
suspected meningitis and began treatment before the diagnosis was confirmed,
then determining that the patient really does have bacterial meningitis
becomes more difficult, since many bacteria may have already been destroyed
and are more difficult to find.  The physician may turn then to a CIE test, or
counterimmunoelectrophoresis test.  The CIE test is very sensitive.  It works
by detecting bacterial antigens when there aren't enough bacteria in
cerebrospinal fluid to culture.  The CIE test requires a good deal of
equipment and a highly experienced lab technician, because false positives can
result from technical problems.
     When fungal meningitis is suspected, a test called the India-Ink prep is
performed.  An acid fast strain is used for suspected tubercular meningitis
and something called phase-contrast microscopy is used for possible amebic
meningitis.  As I already indicated, the most important concern with
meningitis is to begin treatment as quickly as possible.  It is well to know
the first signs of this serious disease; severe headache accompanied by
nausea, vomiting, a stiff neck, chills and fever.  If meningitis is suspected,
immediate medical attention is a must.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.