Viral Meningitis: Is Protein in CSF Raised or not!?

[Saladin MD]

OK, so First Aid says that in viral meningitis, a person's CSF will show normal protein levels. (This is on p. 172 of FA.) I'm doing USMLE World right now and the question asked what would the CSF look like in viral meningitis...for some odd reason, the correct answer has the protein raised. Not only that, but more than 80% of people answered this question correctly. So I'm confused here.

Uworld says "Elevated CSF protein, normal glucose, and lymphocytic predominance is what characterizes viral meningitis." Yet, FA's table shows normal protein.

Can someone explain?

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[phospho]

OK, so First Aid says that in viral meningitis, a person's CSF will show normal protein levels. (This is on p. 172 of FA.) I'm doing USMLE World right now and the question asked what would the CSF look like in viral meningitis...for some odd reason, the correct answer has the protein raised. Not only that, but more than 80% of people answered this question correctly. So I'm confused here.

Uworld says "Elevated CSF protein, normal glucose, and lymphocytic predominance is what characterizes viral meningitis." Yet, FA's table shows normal protein.

Can someone explain?

CSF Analysis typically gives a profile of lymphocytic pleocytosis (usually less than 1000 cells/mm3), slightly elevated protein level and normal glucose level.


http://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/web/meningitis.htm

 

[Saladin MD]

Thanks a lot. So I guess that's another mistake in FA.

 

[Slide]

Which edition of FA are u using? It's listed as Normal/Up in the 09 version.

 

[Saladin MD]

Which edition of FA are u using? It's listed as Normal/Up in the 09 version.

2008.

Looks like they fixed it.

 

[phassett74]

Free advice for anyone studying for Step 1 - always look for errata lists for FA, and keep in mind there is a fairly extensive errata list for Goljan's Rapid Review Pathology as well.

If it doesn't jive, question it.