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Beta‐2‐microglobulin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal dogs and dogs with neurological disease
Author(s) -
Muñana Karen R.,
Saito Miyoko,
Hoshi Fumio
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-165x.2007.tb00204.x
Subject(s) - cerebrospinal fluid , medicine , beta 2 microglobulin , gastroenterology , lumbar puncture , lumbar , pathology , analysis of variance , inflammation , disease , surgery
Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is the basis for establishing a diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation. However, the information provided by routine CSF analysis is limited. Determination of CSF beta‐2‐microglobulin (β 2 m) concentration has been used diagnostically in humans to identify inflammatory CNS disease; we hypothesized that it may have similar value in dogs. Objectives: The objective of this study was to measure β 2 m concentration in the CSF of clinically healthy dogs and compare the values to those observed in dogs with inflammatory CNS disease and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). Methods: CSF was collected from 10 clinically healthy laboratory dogs and 11 dogs each with inflammatory CNS disease and IVDD. Routine CSF analysis was performed, and β 2 m concentration was measured by ELISA. CSF β 2 m concentration and CSF:serum β 2 m ratio were compared between groups by ANOVA. Linear relationships between CSF total nucleated cell count (TNCC), RBC count, total protein concentration, and β 2 m concentration were assessed by regression analysis. Results: The mean (± SD) CSF β 2 m concentration in clinically healthy dogs was 0.36 ± 0.05 μg/mL (cisternal) and 0.40 ± 0.07 μg/mL (lumbar). Median CSF β 2 m concentration in dogs with IVDD (0.46 μg/mL) and inflammatory CNS disease (0.85 μg/mL) differed from that of controls (0.36 μg/mL; P = .002). The concentration also differed between the 2 disease groups ( P = .01). Five dogs with inflammatory CNS disease had CSF:serum β 2 m ratios >1. A correlation was identified between TNCC and β 2 m concentration ( r = 0.69, P = .0003). Conclusions: CSF β 2 m concentration is higher in dogs with IVDD and inflammatory CNS disease, with highest values seen with inflammatory disease. This may be attributed in part to the correlation between CSF β 2 m concentration and TNCC, but also may reflect intrathecal immune activation.