[Immunologic cerebrospinal fluid diagnosis using beta-2-transferrin principles and method].

By using this method beta 2-transferrin, a protein variant can be identified. This variant is produced by neuraminidase activity of the brain and up to now could only be found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In the analysis of CSF, by applying immunofixation with an antiserum and silver staining two bands, the beta 1-transferrin and the beta 2-transferrinband can be demonstrated. When examining serum, nasal secretion, tears, saliva and or other body fluids, only one band, the beta 1-transferrinband can be seen. It is therefore possible to identify CSF accurately. First of all methods of taking samples are explained and required analysis briefly described. Two points were of particular interest to us: The sensitivity of the method and Tracing of possible disturbing effects. Following several, different series of tests we got these results: 1 microliter pure CSF (that corresponds to approx. 1/50 of a drop) and 100 microliter CSF (two drops) per 1 ml nasal secretion can be identified by this method. It is possible that disturbing effects may be caused by blood contamination or a high protein content. For this reason haemoglobin must eliminated by using chromatography. Furthermore it is necessary to reduce a protein content of more than 5 g/l with ammonsulfat precipitation. If care is taken in respect of these two points disturbing effects can be avoided. In clinical application the immunological CSF identification seems to have a very high level of sensitivity and, in comparison with other methods many advantages.