Culture - CSF; Spinal fluid culture; CSF culture

A normal result means no bacteria, viruses, or fungi grew in the laboratory dish. This is called a negative result.

If bacteria are present, you may have bacterial meningitis. Other possible infections include tuberculosis and fungal infections. Some bacteria or viruses can also be detected using special tests.

Finding bacteria does not necessarily mean the infection is contagious, unless it is meningococcal meningitis.

See also:

• Aseptic meningitis
• Cryptococcosis

Images

Pneumococci organism

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Cerebrospinal fluid culture Risks

Review Date: 08/14/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)