Immunoelectrophoretic determination of albumin and IgG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in dogs with neurological diseases.

Albumin and IgG concentrations were determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from 21 normal dogs and 79 dogs with neurological disease, using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. A qualitative protein reaction, cell count and cytological examination were also performed on most CSF samples. The values obtained in normal dogs were used to establish baseline data. Those obtained in neurologically ill dogs were divided into five groups according to the clinical and pathological findings; infectious inflammatory diseases, tumours, degenerative conditions, spinal cord compression and vascular disorders. The absolute CSF albumin content was used as an indicator for blood-brain barrier disturbance and the IgG index for the detection of intrathecal IgG synthesis. Four categories of findings were distinguished; normal CSF, blood-brain barrier disturbance (increased transudation), intrathecal IgG synthesis, combined barrier disturbance and IgG synthesis. The results correlated largely with the pathological findings although in some cases the CSF values could not be explained by the morphological data. It was concluded that rocket immunoelectrophoresis, although it is an elaborate technique, is a useful addition to other CSF examination methods.