CSF-IgM measurement in neurovenereological disease.

An immune response within the central nervous system (CNS) is reflected by an increase of immunoglobulin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid. IgM is considered the first class of immunoglobulins to be increased after infection. Calculation of the IgM and IgG-index reflects immunological activity within the CNS. Insight in this activity is essential in the diagnosis of several neurological diseases, especially neurosyphilis. A new fast solid phase, double sandwich enzyme-immuno assay for the measurement of IgM in the CSF is described and applied in 71 neurovenereological patients.