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The compartmental IgM and IgA response within the central nervous system
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Analyzing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoglobulins reveals diagnostic insights. Elevated IgA and IgM in CSF indicate specific neurological infections like meningitis and encephalitis, aiding diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) typically dominates the central nervous system's humoral immune response.
- Specific neurological diseases can alter this pattern, involving other immunoglobulin classes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the diagnostic value of locally synthesized immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- To differentiate between various neurological conditions based on CSF immunoglobulin profiles.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of immunoglobulin fractions (IgA, IgM, IgG) synthesized locally within the CSF.
- Utilized an empirically established diagram for differentiating CSF immunoglobulins.
Main Results:
- Elevated IgA in CSF is associated with purulent meningitis and neurotuberculosis.
- Elevated IgM in CSF is linked to tick-borne early summer meningoencephalitis.
- Meningopolyneuritis (Bannwarth) and mumps meningoencephalitis show a broad three-class immunoglobulin response (IgA, IgM, IgG).
Conclusions:
- CSF immunoglobulin profiles offer significant diagnostic value for various neurological diseases.
- The diagnostic utility is independent of disease stage due to the absence of a classical antibody class switch in the CNS.