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Lymphocyte autofluorescence: a screening procedure for neurodegenerative diseases
E P Hawkins1, H K Hawkins, D Armstrong
1Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Pediatric Neurology
|May 1, 1986
Summary
Autofluorescence microscopy of buffy coats offers a rapid, inexpensive screening for lymphocyte inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases like neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses. Absence of autofluorescence rules out the need for electron microscopy.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases, including neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs), are characterized by specific cellular inclusions.
- Electron microscopy is a definitive diagnostic tool but is time-consuming and costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate autofluorescence microscopy of buffy coats as a rapid, cost-effective screening method for lymphocyte inclusions in neurodegenerative diseases.
- To correlate autofluorescence findings with electron microscopy results.
Main Methods:
- Buffy coats from 12 patients with neurodegenerative diseases were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy.
- Autofluorescence patterns (color, morphology) of lymphocyte inclusions were documented.
Main Results:
- Three patients with NCLs and one with Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome exhibited yellow-orange autofluorescent granules, correlating with NCL inclusions via electron microscopy.
- Five patients showed hazy green autofluorescence, associated with parallel tubular arrays.
- Three patients with no autofluorescence had no ultrastructural inclusions.
Conclusions:
- Buffy coat autofluorescence is a valuable, rapid, and inexpensive screening tool for identifying specimens needing electron microscopic confirmation.
- Negative autofluorescence results can obviate the need for electron microscopy.
- Lymphocyte inclusions are characteristic but may not be present in all affected tissues.