Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be included in the group of multidisciplinary laboratory examinations , where methods from a number of laboratory disciplines are used such as biochemistry, immuno- logy, cytology, microbiology etc. At the same time close collaboration with clinicians is very desirable, i.e. with neurologists,paediatricians,infectiologists, anaesthesiologists, dermatovenereologists etc. The results of exami- nation of the CSF should not be only the sequence of more or less comprehensible figures, but overall information of physiological or pathological processes which take place in the context of the observed disease in the sphere of the central nervous system communicating with the CSF compartment. The subject of our reflections is the follow up of selected biochemical and cytological parameters in the CSF in a patient with bacterial meningitis with a very severe course associated with serious complications. The objective of our paper it to demonstrate on this actual case some examination procedures elaborated by our department from the mom ent when we started to study the problem of examination of CSF in more detail.

        Key words: bacterial meningitis, cytological examination of the CSF, energy relatio ns in the CNS, destruction of CNS tissue, haemorrhage into CSF pathways