Concentrating cerebrospinal fluid cells with the sedimentation chamber--comparative methodologic studies

The loss of cerebrospinal fluid cells is considerable when the sedimentation chamber was used. Methodical variations resulted in an increasing cell count on the slide. The absolute number of lymphocytes increased more than that of monocytes. Caused by the higher cell count, especially lymphocytes, the relative values in cell differentiation between lymphocytes and monocytes are changed. For differential counting of lymphocytes, monocytes and other cerebrospinal fluid cell types the elevated cell count is an important factor. Differentiation between subpopulations of lymphocytes by means of this procedure however is problematically because the loss of lymphocytes can be of a selective nature.     

IgG determination in the cerebrospinal fluid--correlation of these results with other cerebrospinal fluid values

IgG determined by means of quantitative radial immunodiffusion in the cerebrospinal fluid of 225 neurological patients correlates in a statistically significant manner (p less than 0.001) with the gamma-globulin determined by the acetate foil electrophoresis. The indication of the IgG as a percentage of the total protein (limiting value of 10 per cent) is suitable for an orientating assessment in the diagnosis of inflammatory-immunoreactive diseases of the central nervous system. The IgG-values exceeding 10 per cent of the total protein correlate in 260 fluids examined in the respect with the percental value of the lymphocyte content which also lies above the reference range (p less than 0.001). For the assessment of the presence of a barrier disturbance, a comparison with the serum values should be carried out, either in the form of the frequently used fluid/serum quotients of the immunglobulin or the electrophoretically separated protein fraction.     

Acute meningitis with cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia: neurocysticercosis

Neurocysticercosis is a very rare disease in Central Europe. This is a report about an 18 year old patient with acute meningitis and eosinophilia in cerebrospinal fluid. The findings and outcome of a short treatment with Praziquantel are discussed.     

Diagnostic value of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid

As datum, the range of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid of adults was determined on the basis of 153 fluid samples and compared with the values obtained from 356 neurological patients. A significant increase in enzyme activity was established in respect of CVI, polyneuropathy, acute encephalitis, and SAB. It was possible to eliminate any dependence of the aspartate aminotransferase activity on serum activity, total protein, and cell count. The increase in activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid is thus identified as an independent pathological fact, and thus it can be incorporated in diagnostic routine more particularly in the diagnosis of CVI disorders.     

Determination of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activities in the cerebrospinal fluid

The investigation of enzyme activity in cerebrospinal fluid has been without relevant results for laboratories analysing spinal fluid. For neurochemical purposes, it is interesting that the Substance P is convered by Depeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV (DP IV), liberating dipeptides. The hydrolysis of nitroanilids of the form Xaa-Pro-NHNp in cerebrospinal fluid was analysed using them as peptidases substrates. Finally a method for measuring the activity was proposed.     

Diagnostic value of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein in the cerebrospinal fluid

Samples from 1415 neurological patients were used to study the diagnostic value of acid alpha 1-glycoprotein in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. The value of analysis for this substance is considered to lie in the detection of non-specific acute-phase reactions of various causes in the CNS with special reference to barrier problems. The large number of pathologically elevated values associated with acute inflammations of the meninges and cerebral parenchyme is particularly striking. The results of the studies are analyzed on the basis of comprehensive control investigations (n = 559).     

Function of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and selected biochemical cerebrospinal fluid components in senile dementias of various types

Some selected CSF and serum components were determined in demental patients classified by the Hachinski test into vascular and primary-degenerative groups. As for the vascular group, the frequency distribution of the serum/CSF albumin ratios characterizing the barrier function corresponds to that of controls, in primary-degenerative cases, however, it is shifted to higher values. In vascular dementia higher CSF LAP activities pointing to actual cell damaging processes in the CNS were found. The concentrations of lactate and some trace metals in CSF and serum are not suitable for differential diagnostic purposes.     

In-vitro experiments on the clarification of the fibrinolytic activity in normal cerebrospinal fluid]

A direct and indirect detection of plasmin in native CSF was not possible by the thrombelastographic and hot fibrin agar plate method and by electroimmunodiffusion analysis using Laurell's method of fibrin degradation product determination, respectively. The same method was used to determine concentrations of plasminogen and fibrinogen. The CSF, which were retrospectively judged to be normal, neither showed plasmin activity nor exhibited plasminogen and fibrinogen concentrations. Therefore, the liqour possesses only a plasminogen activator protein and does not represent a fibrinolytically active CSF.