Crenated erythrocytes are red blood cells (RBCs) with an irregular, spiked appearance caused by cellular dehydration or exposure to hypertonic environments. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), their presence typically reflects structural damage or mechanical disruption to blood vessels, leading to RBC breakdown or abnormal morphology.

CRP/ESR Ratio is a calculated value that compares levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)—two common markers used to detect inflammation in the body. This ratio can provide deeper insight into the type and intensity of inflammation, helping to distinguish between different causes of inflammatory responses.

What Do CRP and ESR Measure?

• C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to acute inflammation. Its levels rise quickly within hours of tissue injury or infection.

• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) measures how quickly red blood cells settle at the bottom of a test tube in one hour. It increases more slowly and reflects more chronic or long-term inflammation.

Cryoglobulins are circulating proteins, specifically immunoglobulins (i.e., IgG, IgM, IgA or light chains), that clump together (precipitate) when they are exposed to cold and dissolve when warmed. They may be present in small quantities in the blood of some healthy people but are most frequently associated with abnormal protein production and a variety of diseases and conditions. This test detects and measures the relative quantity of cryoglobulins in the blood.

C. parvum is a protozoan parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea in humans. Through various mechanisms the parasite can manipulate the host cytoskeleton proteins, including rearranging tropomyosin-5 protein, actinin, villin, ezrin, at the site of infection. This restructuring of proteins allows the parasite to infiltrate intestinal cells. Due to antigenic similarity between C. parvum, actin and tropomyosin structures, these antibodies may cross-react with human tissues resulting in autoimmunity associated with parasitic infections.

Cryptosporidium is notorious for being spread by swimming pools. A number of Cryptosporidium outbreaks have occurred after contamination of public swimming facilities. Cryptosporidium can cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In a healthy, immune-competent person, this is a selflimiting infection and can be cleared within 2-3 weeks.

The Cryptosporidium parasite causes disease in humans through ingestion of infectious oocysts in contaminated water or food, and by direct contact with fecal material from individuals or animals actively shedding oocysts. Two species of Cryptosporidium cause disease in humans, Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum. C. hominis is more prevalent in the US, South America, Australia, and Africa, while C. parvum accounts for most cases in Europe. Along with Giardia, Cryptosporidium is the most common parasitic cause of diarrheal illness in the US and other developed nations.

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. Crypto is caused by a microscopic parasite called Cryptosporidium. Anyone can get sick with Crypto, but people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms. This includes people who have health problems or take medicines that lower their body’s ability to fight germs and sickness—such as people whose immune systems are weakened because of cancer, an organ transplant or have cancer, or HIV.

The presence and identification of crystals in synovial fluid analysis are essential for diagnosing specific joint-related conditions, particularly gout and CPPD disease. This diagnostic information informs appropriate treatment strategies to manage these conditions effectively.

CSF glucose, also known as cerebrospinal fluid glucose or glycorrhachia, is a measurement used to determine the concentration of glucose in cerebrospinal fluid. The normal reference range for CSF glucose is typically between 50-80 mg/dL.

If the levels are lower than this range, it may indicate an infection or other medical conditions.

The CSF glucose test is an important diagnostic tool used to assess various neurological and infectious diseases. It helps doctors evaluate conditions like meningitis, encephalitis, and other central nervous system disorders. 

Abnormal results, such as high CSF glucose levels, can be indicative of conditions like hyperglycemia, infection (bacterial or fungal), or inflammation of the central nervous system.

The CSF IgG Index is a valuable marker for detecting immune activity within the brain or spinal cord, often helping diagnose or monitor diseases like multiple sclerosis. Results should always be interpreted alongside other tests (e.g., oligoclonal bands, MRI) and clinical findings by a healthcare provider.

Normally no red blood cells are present in the CSF. The presence of red blood cells may indicate bleeding into the CSF or may indicate a “traumatic tap” – blood that leaked into the CSF sample during collection.

Protein appears in nearly all body tissues, along with your enzymes, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Healthy CSF has a low amount of protein.‌

- Protein level, opening pressure, and CSF-to-serum glucose ratio vary with age.

- CSF protein concentration is one of the most sensitive indicators of pathology within the CNS. 

- The spinal fluid normally contains very little protein since serum proteins are large molecules that do not cross the blood-brain barrier. Most of the protein that is normally present is albumin.

- CSF protein concentration may rise due to 2 factors: either an increased permeability of the blood brain barrier allowing more protein and higher molecular weight proteins to enter the CSF or proteins may be synthezised within the cerebrospinal canal by inflammatory or other invading cells.