A Spinal Fluid Scoring System for Differentiation of Bacterial and Viral Meningitis

To develop such a system, a retrospective study was performed on patients with meningitis admitted at three major pediatric hospitals during a ten-year period. In this study, important cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF) indices were measured and compared in cases of bacterial and viral meningitis. Glucose, protein and white blood cells (WBCs) were analyzed in 609 patients with meningitis and scores were determined for differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral cases. These scores were 100 percent compatible with the final diagnosis given for the patients.