Cerebrospinal Fluid Immunoglobulins

Abstract

Admission samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with meningococcal, tuberculous, and pneumococcal meningitis were examined for immunoglobulin concentration. The IgG and IgA concentrations were measurable in most cases and were correlated with total CSF protein concentrations; however, there was no correlation between IgM levels and total CSF protein concentrations in pneumococcal meningitis. Thirteen of 17 patients possessing serum antibody to their own strain of pneumococcus and two of 14 without detectable serum antibody were cured (P< 0.01). Antibody to Type I pneumococcal polysaccharide was detected in the CSF of the only one of 17 patients with Type I pneumococcal meningitis who also had serum antibody but no detectable Type I polysaccharide in his CSF. Antibody appearing in CSF of immunized patients may be an important component of the host's defenses in pneumococcal meningitis.