HIGH-RESOLUTION PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS OF EQUINE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID

Objective-To determine normal CSF electrophoresis patterns in horses, and to determine whether the electrophoretic scans from horses with ce rvical compression differ from those of neurologically normal horses. Animals-32 horses assigned to 1 of 2 groups: neurologically normal (n = 18) or cervical compression (n = 14). Procedure-CSF was collected fr om 18 neurologically normal horses referred to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, and protein electrophoresis was performed to d escribe the normal equine CSF electrophoretogram. Results of CSF elect rophoresis from 14 horses with cervical compression were then compared with results for the neurologically normal horses. Results-Horses wit h cervical compression had decreased beta-globulin fraction, and 1 or 2 prominent post-beta(2) peak(s). When the presence of post-beta peaks was used as a diagnostic criterion for cervical compression, the Lest had sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 81.8%. She positive and n egative predictive values were 83.3 and 69.2%, respectively. Conclusio n and Clinical Implications-Electrophoresis of CSF may be a useful dia gnostic aid in evaluation of horses with neurologic disease.