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. 2005 Jun 28;17(4):691–710. doi: 10.1016/S0733-8619(05)70162-6

Table 1.

CLASSIFICATION OF THE MENINGITIS SYNDROME

Type Time Course CSF Origin
Aseptic Acute episode, <4 wk duration

  • • Mild to moderate mononuclear pleiocytosis

  • • Normal glucose

  • • Infectious (predominantly viral)

  • • Noninfectious
Septic Acute episode <4 wk duration

  • • Moderate to significant polymorphonuclear pleiocytosis

  • • Low glucose

 • Infectious (bacterial)
Recurrent Multiple acute episodes, <4 wk duration

  • • Mild to significant mixed pleiocytosis

  • • Variable glucose

  • • Infectious

  • • Noninfectious
Chronic Chronic episode, ≥4 wk duration

  • • Mild to moderate mononuclear pleiocytosis

  • • Low glucose

  • • Infectious (predominantly mycobacterial, fungal)

  • • Noninfectious