Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) mean for the human organism a potentially dangerous situation. An investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides important information about a character of CNS impairment in the decision-making diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. The authors present a brief overview of available cerebrospinal fluid assays, shortened indication criteria, a recommended algorithm of CSF assessment in different suspected diseases, and a view of the external quality system. The whole portfolio of obtainable CSF methodology is further subdivided according to the adequate choice into the first and inevitable basic routine panel, and following complicated analyses of highly specialized character. The basic panel is considered for standard laboratories, the complete specialized assessment should be provided by a super-consulting laboratory.

• MeSH
• Algorithms MeSH
• Cytological Techniques MeSH
• Clinical Laboratory Techniques MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Macrophages MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid chemistry   cytology   MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins analysis   MeSH
• Practice Guidelines as Topic * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins MeSH

The levels of prealbumin (PAB, transthyretin) were determined and evaluated in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in various subgroups of the multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. In severely disabled patients, serum PAB was elevated more frequently. CSF and serum PAB concentrations were higher in treated than in nontreated patients; the values above the upper reference limits were also more frequently found in treated patients. PAB index showed a tendency to decrease during the course of the disease. The routine determination of PAB in CSF and serum is, therefore, recommended to be recognized in MS patients as a substantial clinical value and, thus, be comprised, including also immunoglobulins and other parameters, into the spectrum of characteristics in Protein Panel.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Prealbumin analysis   cerebrospinal fluid   MeSH
• Multiple Sclerosis blood   cerebrospinal fluid   pathology   MeSH
• Severity of Illness Index MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Comparative Study MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Prealbumin MeSH

In a group of 10,156 patients with neurological diseases, the IgM level was assessed (using laser nephelometry) both in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum; concentration of other 17 protein fractions was also simultaneously determined: albumin, immunoglobulins, acute phase reactants, complement components, apolipoproteins, proteinase inhibitors and alpha1-microglobulin. Total protein, element counts and glucose level were also evaluated. In patients with normal CSF findings, only limited statistically significant correlations were demonstrated between IgM and other CSF protein fractions while, in the group of patients with pathological CSF findings, significant correlations were found between CSF(IgM) and other immunoglobulins, complement fractions and the rate of intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins. Correlations were also found between CSF(IgM) and CSF antithrombin-III and alpha1-microglobulin. Correlations between CSF(IgM) and CSF apolipoproteins support the theory of CNS tissue destruction whenever the concentration of CSF apolipoproteins is elevated. Our data substantially contribute to establishing the diagnosis in patients with neurological diseases; simultaneous measurement of a high number of CSF proteins is becoming inevitable for a reasonable assessment of the CSF Protein Status.

• MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Immunoglobulin M blood   cerebrospinal fluid   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Linear Models MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid chemistry   cytology   immunology   MeSH
• Nervous System Diseases blood   cerebrospinal fluid   immunology   MeSH
• Predictive Value of Tests MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins chemistry   MeSH
• Inflammation MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Immunoglobulin M MeSH
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins MeSH