What condition is often associated with elevated WBC in cerebrospinal fluid?

Elevated white blood cell (WBC) counts in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are typically associated with inflammatory or infectious conditions affecting the central nervous system. Meningitis, which is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, is one of the primary conditions where this finding is observed.

In viral or bacterial meningitis, there is often a marked increase in WBCs in the CSF, with bacterial meningitis usually showing a predominance of neutrophils, while viral meningitis may show an increase in lymphocytes. This significant elevation in WBC count is due to the immune response as the body attempts to fight off the infection, making it a critical parameter for diagnosis.

Other conditions may also show elevated WBC counts in CSF but are less commonly associated with such significant increases as seen in meningitis. For example, multiple sclerosis can lead to elevated protein in CSF but typically does not present with high WBC counts. Similarly, encephalitis also results in elevated WBCs, but meningitis is more specifically characterized by this finding in a more pronounced way. Cerebral aneurysm primarily concerns vascular issues and may not lead to significant changes in WBC counts in the CSF.