Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation
06:59

Intrathecal Application of a Fluorescent Dye for the Identification of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks in Cochlear Malformation

Published on: February 29, 2020

8.8K

Cerebrospinal fluid lymphocyte transformations in meningitis

J F Plouffe, J Silva, R Fekety

    Archives of Internal Medicine
    |February 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Diagnosing chronic meningitis may be improved by testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytes. These cells show increased thymidine incorporation when exposed to specific antigens, indicating a potential diagnostic aid.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Neurology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Nonsuppurative meningitis diagnosis can be challenging.
    • Identifying specific causative agents is crucial for effective treatment.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the diagnostic potential of antigen-specific lymphocyte transformation assays in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
    • To investigate the compartmentalization of immune responses in the central nervous system during meningitis.

    Main Methods:

    • Culturing CSF lymphocytes from 13 meningitis patients with antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Sporotrichum schenckii, and herpes simplex.
    • Measuring thymidine incorporation to assess lymphocyte proliferation in response to specific antigens.
    • Comparing CSF lymphocyte responses with peripheral blood lymphocyte responses from the same patients.

    Main Results:

    • CSF lymphocytes from five patients showed increased thymidine incorporation when incubated with antigens matching their infection.
    • Stimulation levels were higher with correct antigens compared to incorrect antigens or CSF from patients with other meningitis causes.
    • CSF lymphocytes exhibited greater antigen-specific stimulation than peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting immune cell compartmentalization.

    Conclusions:

    • Antigen-specific lymphocyte transformation assays using CSF hold promise as a diagnostic tool for certain chronic meningitis cases.
    • The findings suggest a localized immune response within the central nervous system.
    • This method could aid in differentiating meningitis etiologies and guiding treatment.

    More Related Videos

    An Improved Method for Collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Anesthetized Mice06:40

    An Improved Method for Collection of Cerebrospinal Fluid from Anesthetized Mice

    Published on: March 19, 2018

    66.2K
    Sample Preparation for Endopeptidomic Analysis in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid10:23

    Sample Preparation for Endopeptidomic Analysis in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

    Published on: December 4, 2017

    9.4K

    Related Concept Videos

    Transformation01:26

    Transformation

    Microbial communities are dynamic environments where cell lysis releases free DNA into the surroundings. Other cells can take up this extracellular DNA through a process known as transformation.When a cell incorporates this foreign DNA into its genome, resulting in genetic modification, the process is known as transformation. Cells capable of this process are termed competent. Competence can be natural, as observed in certain bacteria and archaea, or artificially induced in the...
    720
    Cerebrospinal Fluid01:21

    Cerebrospinal Fluid

    Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a colorless liquid that flows around the brain and the spinal cord, playing a vital role in the protection, support, and overall function of the central nervous system (CNS). CSF production, circulation, and absorption are tightly regulated processes essential for the brain and spinal cord to function properly.
    CSF Production
    CSF is produced mainly in the choroid plexus, a network of capillaries and ependymal cells located within the ventricular system of the brain....
    5.4K
    Cranial and Spinal Meninges01:19

    Cranial and Spinal Meninges

    The cranial and spinal meninges are complex protective structures surrounding the central nervous system (CNS), consisting of the brain and spinal cord. These meninges consist of the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater. They protect the CNS, provide structural support, and aid in circulating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
    Cranial Meninges
    These meningeal layers cover the cranium. The dura mater is the outermost layer of cranial meninges. It is a thick and durable membrane of dense...
    3.7K
    Bacterial Transformation01:33

    Bacterial Transformation

    In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
    Griffith made an unexpected discovery when he killed the pathogenic strain and mixed its remains with the live, non-pathogenic strain. Not only did the mixture kill host mice, but it also contained living pathogenic bacteria that...
    59.5K
    Transformers01:26

    Transformers

    A device that transforms voltages from one value to another using induction is called a transformer. A transformer consists of two separate coils, or windings, wrapped around the same soft iron core. However, they are electrically insulated from each other.
    The iron core has a substantial relative permeability. Therefore, the magnetic field lines generated due to the current in one winding are almost entirely confined within the core, such that the same magnetic flux permeates each turn of both...
    1.7K
    The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

    The Fluid Mosaic Model

    The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.
    177.3K