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Tareq Abadl: CSF Culture – Understanding Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing
Tareq Abadl/LinkedIn
Jul 27, 2026, 11:10

Tareq Abadl: CSF Culture – Understanding Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing

Tareq Abadl, Medical Lab Specialist, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The story is about the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord:

CSF 

When a patient is admitted to the hospital with a severe headache, high fever, stiff neck, or seizures… the doctor suspects meningitis.

And that’s where the journey begins with a lumbar puncture…

A fine needle withdraws a drop of the clear fluid surrounding the nervous system.

This tiny drop is sent to the lab… and that’s where the story begins:

Direct microscopic examination:

  • The first step is to place a drop of CSF on a glass slide.

We perform a Gram stain and examine it under the microscope.

If we find Gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae (appearing as round, purple cells in pairs), or Gram-negative bacteria like Neisseria meningitidis (appearing as red cells in pairs), then the enemy is right in front of us.

We also look at the number and type of cells:

  • The presence of many neutrophils means a severe bacterial infection.
  • The presence of lymphocytes indicates a viral or fungal infection.
  • The presence of yeast cells, such as Cryptococcus neoformans, can be confirmed using India ink staining.

Culture:

Place the liquid on special plates such as chocolate agar and blood agar.

Incubate for 24–48 hours.

Colonies that exhibit a distinctive appearance and odor:

Neisseria meningitidis:

  • Transparent, gray colonies.

Streptococcus pneumoniae: Shiny colonies with an alpha-lysis zone.

Cryptococcus:

  • White, creamy colonies.

Confirmatory Tests:

Latex agglutination:

  • Rapidly detects antigens in CSF. PCR:
  • The most accurate method for identifying the type of microbe.

Biochemical tests:

  • Such as the oxidase test for Gram-negative bacteria.

This isn’t just about analysis…it’s a journey to find the real enemy attacking the nervous system.

Message: Direct microscopic examination with CSF culture are the first line of defense in saving a patient’s life from fatal meningitis.”

Tareq Abadl: CSF Culture - Understanding Cerebrospinal Fluid Testing

Other posts featuring Tareq Abadl on Hemostasis Today.

CSF Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today Medicine Tareq Abadl thrombosis
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