Table 2 Comparison of biological test characteristics (medians) between bacterial and lymphocytic/aseptic meningitis (p value according to nonparametric tests)

In blood serum

 Leukocytes (g/l)

17.2

10.1

<0.01

 CRP (mg/l)

139.5

8

0.01

In CSF

 Leukocytes/mm³

1,200

68

<0.01

 Blood cells/mm³

100

64

0.23

 Protein level (g/l)

2.43

0.65

<0.01

 Glucose level (g/l)

0.22

0.61

<0.001

 Ratio of glucose in CSF to glucose in blood serum

0.15

0.58

<0.01

 Chloride level (mmol/l)

116

123

<0.01