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Arabinitol enantiomers in cerebrospinal fluid
1Department of Neoplastic Diseases, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|October 1, 1991
Summary
D-Arabinitol in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is significantly elevated, suggesting it may originate from the brain or spinal cord, not gut Candida infections. This finding has implications for understanding D-arabinitol
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- D-Arabinitol, a metabolite of Candida species, can indicate disseminated candidiasis when serum concentrations are elevated.
- Measuring arabinitol enantiomers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can aid in diagnosing infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and origin of D-arabinitol in CSF.
- To differentiate between Candida-related and non-Candida-related sources of D-arabinitol.
Main Methods:
- Separation of o-trifluoroacetylated arabinitol enantiomers using perpentylated cyclodextrin capillary columns.
- Quantification by selected ion monitoring using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
- Confirmation of D-arabinitol using D-arabinitol dehydrogenase.
Main Results:
- The mean D/L-arabinitol ratio in CSF of controls was approximately 10-fold higher than in normal serum and urine.
- Mean L-arabinitol concentration in CSF was similar to that in serum.
- High D/L-arabinitol ratios were observed in diseases without Candida infection.
Conclusions:
- The elevated D/L-arabinitol ratio in CSF is primarily due to increased D-arabinitol.
- D-Arabinitol in CSF may originate from the brain or spinal cord, independent of gut Candida.
- Accumulation of D-arabinitol in CSF could be due to non-consumption or its availability for brain metabolism.