Question
When the antibiotic treatment for neonatal empyema of the brain reaches the fourth day, the re-examination results show a white blood cell count of 2, a cerebrospinal fluid protein value of 0.65, and both protein and sugar qualitatively positive. During the hospital stay, the initial examination showed a cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell count of 24. What does a positive protein qualitative in cerebrospinal fluid represent?
Answer
A positive protein qualitative in cerebrospinal fluid typically indicates the presence of some disease in neonates. In neonates, a protein qualitative test of cerebrospinal fluid is a routine examination that should normally be negative. If the result is positive, it may be due to disease. A significantly elevated level of protein in cerebrospinal fluid is often seen in malignant tumors of the central nervous system, such as empyema of the brain, tuberculous meningitis, spinal cavity and metastatic cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and obstruction. Additionally, viral meningitis, fungal meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, poliomyelitis, meningovascular syphilis, and paralysis…