Immunoglobulins in certain CNS disorders: a study of CSF Ig classes G, A, M, D, and E concentrations

Concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Ig classes G, A, M, D, and E have been reported in various neurologic disorders, viz, aseptic meningitis, multiple sclerosis, benign tumor, malignant tumor, and hydrocephalus. In aseptic meningitis, IgG and IgM were found to be either normal or elevated, whereas concentrations of IgA, IgD, and IgE were normal. Multiple sclerosis patients had IgG, IgA, and IgM, either normal or elevated, but IgD and IgE were on the lower end of the normal. Malignant tumor patients had elevated concentrations of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE, but their IgD was on the lower end of the normal. In benign tumor population IgA and IgE, and in hydrocephalus IgG and IgA, were found to be elevated in most of the patients. On statistical analysis, significant differences were observed between the means of the normal group and that of the patients' group for all the five immunoglobulins. By linear regression, a statistical relationship was observed between IgA - IgG, IgM - IgG, IgA - IgM and IgA + IgM - IgG in these neurologic disorders.