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</noscript></div><div class="main"><div id="ency_summary"><p>A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) smear is a laboratory test to look for bacteria, fungi, and viruses in the fluid that moves in the space around the spinal cord and brain. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from injury.</p></div><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-1" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-1"><p>A sample of CSF is needed. This is usually done with a lumbar puncture (also called a <a test="test" href="./003428.htm">spinal tap</a>).</p><p>The sample is sent to a laboratory. There, a tiny amount is spread on a glass slide. Laboratory staff then views the sample under a microscope. The smear shows the color of the fluid and the number and shape of cells present in the fluid. Other tests may be done to check for the presence of bacteria or fungi in the sample.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>How to Prepare for the Test</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-2" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-2"><p>Follow instructions on how to prepare for a spinal tap.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Why the Test is Performed</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-3" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-3"><p>Your health care provider may order this test if you have signs of an infection that affects the brain or nervous system. The test helps identify what is causing the infection. This will help your provider decide on the best treatment.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Normal Results</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-4" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-4"><p>A normal test result means there are no signs of an infection. This is also called a negative result. However, a normal result doesn't mean that there is no infection. The spinal tap and CSF smear may need to be done again or other tests may be needed.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>What Abnormal Results Mean</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-5" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-5"><p>Bacteria or other germs found in the sample may be a sign of <a test="test" href="./000680.htm">meningitis</a>. This is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The infection can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Risks</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-6" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-6"><p>A laboratory smear poses no risk. Your provider will tell you about the risks of a spinal tap.</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Alternative Names</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Alt" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Alt"><p>Spinal fluid smear; Cerebrospinal fluid smear</p></div></div></section><section><div class="section sec-mb"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Images</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-tnails" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/9242t.jpg" alt="CSF smear" title="CSF smear" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/9242.htm">CSF smear</a></li>
<li><img src="//medlineplus.gov/ency/images/ency/tnails/24391t.jpg" alt="Gram stain" title="Gram stain" class="side-img"/><a href="../imagepages/19955.htm">Gram stain</a></li>
</ul></div></div></section><section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>References</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-Ref" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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</div></div><div class="section-body" id="section-Ref"><p>Karcher DS, McPherson RA. Cerebrospinal, synovial, serous body fluids, and alternative specimens. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. <em>Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods</em>. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 30.</p><p>O'Connell TX. Cerebrospinal fluid evaluation. In: O'Connell TX, ed. <em>Instant Work-Ups: A Clinical Guide to Medicine</em>. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 9.</p></div></div></section>
<section><div class="section"><div class="section-header"><div class="section-title"><h2>Review Date 9/10/2022</h2></div><div class="section-button"><button type="submit" aria-controls="section-version" role="button" title="Expand/Collapse section"><span class="icon icon-section-action">
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<div id="section-version" class="section-body"><p>Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.</p>
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