Which of the following CSF findings is associated with multiple sclerosis?

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the characteristic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) finding is an increase in gamma globulins, which reflects the immune response and the presence of oligoclonal bands. The presence of oligoclonal bands indicates that there is intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins, which is a hallmark feature of MS.

This immune response occurs due to the inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system that characterizes the disease. The inflammatory process leads to various immune mediators, including an increase in immunoglobulin production specifically within the CNS, contributing to the elevated gamma globulin levels seen in the CSF of patients with MS.

Other choices presented do not accurately represent the typical CSF findings in multiple sclerosis. For instance, low glucose with PMN predominance would suggest an infectious process such as bacterial meningitis rather than MS. Numerous red blood cells in serial samples could suggest hemorrhagic conditions or traumatic tap, neither of which is related to MS. Normal glucose with lymphocytic predominance might be indicative of a viral infection or a different type of neurological condition, rather than the distinctive process seen in multiple sclerosis.