Diagnostic values of IgG-albumin index and agarose gel electrophoresis in neurologic diseases
Wang, C.R.; Chiu, H.C.; Su, C.L.; Lin, K.T.
Zhonghua Minguo Wei Sheng Wu Ji Mian Yi Xue Za Zhi 19(4): 238-244
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-2662 PMID: 2434286 Document Number: 281807
Sixty cerebrospinal fluids (CSFs) with paired serum samples from a variety of patients with neurologic diseases were studied using rate nephelometry to measure IgG-albumin index, and also agarose gel electrophoresis (EP) with protein blotting technique to characterize discrete IgG bands. The patients included: A) 16 cases of multiple sclerosis (MS); B) 23 cases of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS); C) 21 cases of other non-inflammatory neurologic disorders. The average IgG-albumin index was 0.65 .+-. 0.25 in Group A, 1.10 .+-. 0.78 in B, and 0.50 .+-. 0.12 in C. If 0.72 is taken as the upper normal limit, an increased index was found in 31%, 43% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Discrete IgG bands were detected in 69%, 9% and 5% of Groups A, B and C, respectively. Gamma globulin bands were not always IgG, and true oligoclonal myeloma proteins were not encountered. It is concluded that both IgG-albumin index measurement and agarose gel EP are useful for diagnostic differentiation in neurologic disease: the former, for inflammatory disease of CNS; and the latter, for MS.