Normally, the cerebrospinal fluid is colorless and clear, with no coagulation. Viral encephalitis cerebrospinal fluid is clear or slightly cloudy, with mildly increased protein content, normal or slightly increased glucose content, essentially normal chloride, and mildly increased cell count, mostly lymphocytes. Tuberculous encephalitis cerebrospinal fluid is notable for its hairy glassy appearance, significantly higher protein content, significantly lower glucose and chloride, increased lymphocytes, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis visible in cerebrospinal fluid smear or culture. Septic meningitis is cloudy and purulent in appearance, with substantially increased protein, substantially decreased glucose, significantly increased cell counts, mostly neutrophils, and positive bacterial cultures. Epidemic B encephalitis is notably characterized by increased cell counts, with neutrophilia in the early stages and lymphocytosis in the late stages.