Oligoclonal bands measured in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid and other biochemical parameters in multiple...

Various biochemical parameters of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from sixty-nine patients with RRMS (relapse-remitting MS) were compared in this study. Total protein level, white blood cells (WBC) count and presence of oligoclonal bands (OB) in CSF were examined. The presence of OB in unconcentrated CSF using an isoelectrofocusing assay on agarose gels and silver staining were measured in 72 percent of patients. The average CSF total protein level measured by Lowry assay was 269 mg/l (range from 61 to 712 mg/l). The mean level of white blood cells (WBC) was higher than in general population and it was 12 cells/microl. We found an increased level of WBC count among patients with the presence of oligoclonal bands in CSF.