Ventricular CSF immunoglobulins in brain tumours

Ventricular CSF glucose, total protein, protein electrophoresis, IgG, IgA, IgM and CSF cytology were determined in thirty seven patients with brain tumours. CSF glucose was unchanged and total protein was significantly high. Protein electrophoresis showed higher albumin and gamma globulin fractions. Mean IgG and IgA were significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in malignant tumours than in benign ones. IgM was detectable in 7 of 37 cases. The higher concentration of total protein, albumin and gamma globulin shows some degree of impairment of blood brain barrier. Increased concentration of IgG, IgA and IgM indicates humoral immune response of the brain against the tumours.