[On the origin and diagnostic value of the CSF-beta-globulins (author's transl)].

Abstract

208 cerebrospinal fluid samples were taken from patients having various patterns of neurological diseases. The following beta-globulins: transferrin, haemopexin, beta-1 A-globulin, beta-1 E-globulin, beta-2-glycoproteid and beta-lipoproteid were determined immunologically quantitatively in the CSF and partly quantitatively in the serum, and their behaviour was compared with that of the beta and tau fraction in CSF electrophoresis. It was found that changes in the fractions in CSF electrophoresis agreed only slightly with those of the quantitatively determined globulins, although these globulins represent 70--80% of the beta and tau fraction. Increases in the number of beta-1 A and beta-1 E-globulins are more significantly marked in intracranial haemorrhages than with other diseases. In all other respects, increases or decreases in the number of beta-globulins do not appear to be typical of any particular disease pattern determined by electrophoresis or quantitatively. Due to the linearity of the changes in case of disturbances of the CSF barrier, and also on account of the absolutely parallel behaviour of the beta-globulins, it was concluded that transferrin--contrary to the opinion held so far--is produced cerebrally in only small quantities or possibly not at all, and that the entirety of beta-globulins originate from the serum.