[The albumin-IgG ratio in the CSF in inflammatory diseases of the CNS (author's transl)].

Levels of albumin and IgG in the cerebrospinal fluid were determined in 69 children with infectious diseases of the central of the central nervous system in the years 1975 to 1978. The cerebrospinal fluid in 63 children without infectious diseases of the central nervous system, serving as a control, showed a close correlation between albumin and IgG levels. In the acute stages of serous and purulent meningitis (meningococci, streptococci, and hemophilus influenzae) however, IgG levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were overproportionately high. Very high yet correlating levels of IgG and albumin were found in purulent meningitis due to Escherichia coli. The determination of cerebrospinal fluid levels of albumin and IgG renders information about the function of the blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier, as well as about any significant production of IgG at these sites. In case of repeated determinations information about the course of inflammation and the efficacy of antibiotic therapy can be obtained. This technique is simple and inexpensive. For one determination only 50 microliter of cerebrospinal fluid is required.