Quantitative analysis of the cellular constituents of the cerebrospinal fluid in chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was taken from guinea pigs in various stages of chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (CR-EAE). The leucocytes in CSF samples were counted and subjected to immunocytochemical analysis using monoclonal antibodies selectively recognising guinea pig T cells, macrophages or Ia antigens. The results showed that total leucocyte numbers and the proportion of macrophages in CSF were elevated in the acute phase of CR-EAE but samples of CSF from animals in early relapse did not show a significant elevation in leucocyte count or macrophage content. In addition the level of T cell activation was higher in CSF than in peripheral blood during disease and was highest in the acute and immediately post-acute phases of the CR-EAE.