M. Trbojeviccepe et al., CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION IN NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES, Journal of the neurological sciences, 154(2), 1998, pp. 173-181
Laser nephelometry (LN) is a rapid and very sensitive method for simul
taneous determination of albumin, immunoglobulins, C(3)c and C-4 in di
luted serum and paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. It is very u
seful in routine analyses. Determination of C(3)c and C-4 covers class
ical as well as alternative pathways of complement activation. In CSF,
they are mostly derived from and related to serum values. Under physi
ological conditions, the addition of intrathecal C, synthesis is likel
y. The incidence of complement activation within CSF is also influence
d by the method of choice (native molecules, activation products and c
omplexes, inhibitors) and the mode of interpretation of results accord
ing to the functional state of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Calculat
ion of indexes and the modified Reiber's graph method are valid means
of detection of complement activation within CSF. Complement activatio
n within CSF was confirmed in 36% (111/302) of neurological patients e
xamined; in 55% (48/87) of patients with inflammatory and demyelinatin
g diseases, in 40% (37/94) of patients with CNS infections and complic
ations, in 33% (4/12) of patients with motor neuron diseases, in 27% (
11/40) of patients with spinal cord compression and sequelae, in 25% (
8/32) of patients with neoplastic disease, and in 17% (6/37) of patien
ts with cerebrovascular accidents. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.