Antibody synthesis within the central nervous system: comparisons of CSF IgG indices and electrophoresis |
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| Authors: | EJ Thompson PG Riches J Kohn |
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| Affiliation: | * Institute of Neurology, The National Hospital, Queen Square, London WC1;† Protein Reference Unit, Westminster Hospital, London SW1;‡ St Luke''s Hospital, Guildford, Surrey. |
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| Abstract: | Various laboratories have reported differing success rates in their ability to detect intrathecal synthesis of antibody when comparing the index of [Formula: see text] with electrophoretic analysis. We selected 44 patients in the borderline area of minimal and/or equivocal abnormality by IgG index. Electrophoretic analysis (on polyacrylamide gels for oligoclonal gamma globulin pattern) of parallel specimens was performed at the same time. The number of samples giving a normal index but showing oligoclonal bands varied between 34% and 43% depending on the cut-off point. The views about normal barrier functions underlying such indices are discussed with particular reference to the pathophysiology of the blood-CSF barrier. |
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