Microzone Electrophoresis of Unconcentrated Cerebrospinal Fluid Using Cellulose Acetate Strips and Nigrosin Dye

Abstract

A unique method of microzone electrophoresis of cerebrospinal fluid protein using cellulose acetate strips, nigrosin dye, and less than 0.50 μl. of unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid is easily performed, and the results are superior to those of methods using conconcentrating technics. Albumin and globulin bind nigrosin dye equally, and the bound dye follows Beer’s law up to a concentration of 80 mg. per 100 ml. protein. Precision and accuracy are similar to those of serum protein electrophoresis. Two striking advantages of this method are that it is unnecessary to concentrate the spinal fluid, thereby eliminating protein denaturation and a tan fraction, and that only a minute quantity is needed for electrophoresis. Specimens from 300 consecutive patients having spinal fluid studies were evaluated by this technic. Abnormal electrophoretic patterns were found in patients with multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, hydrocephalus, central nervous system neoplasms, and herniated intervertebral disks. Electophoretic study of the spinal fluid proved helpful in establishing a diagnosis.