SUMMARY S-100 protein was determined by Particle Counting ImmunoAssay in the CSF of patients with various neurological disorders. With a limit of sensitivity of 2 5 ,ug/l this brain-specific protein was detected only in samples from patients with acute damage of the central nervous system, particularly in compression of the spinal cord by tumour, ischaemic disorders, subarachnoid bleeding and haematoma, and viral or suspected viral infections. Our results support the assumption that S-100 is a reliable index of central nervous system damage and that changes in its concentration could have a prognostic value.S-100 protein is an acidic protein of molecular weight 21,000' found essentially in the nervous system of vertebrates. This protein is called "S-100" because of its solubility in 100% saturated ammonium sulphate at neutral pH. A characteristic of S-100 is its structural changes caused by calcium ions.3 S-100 is, in fact, a family of proteins4`8 shown by complement fixation and cross-immunoelectrophoresis9 to be antigenically different. Two main types have been described.67 S-100a containing two different subunits (a and fi subunits) and S100b, two identical subunits (3 subunits).S-100, the function of which is still unknown, is located mainly in the astrocytes'0-'9 but has also been detected in

When mouse serum or ascites is applied on protein A-Sepharose columns and washed with enough phosphate-buffered saline, a second protein peak is often eluted with the same buffer after the first major peak of unbound proteins. This second peak is almost pure Ig G1. More IgG1 plus IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 are thereafter eluted with acid saline. 90% of the IgG1 whichhad been eluted with neutral buffer could be re-eluted at the same retarded position with the same buffer. When a gradient from 0 to 3 M sodium thiocyanate was started after the major peak of unbound proteins, all IgG1 was eluted before IgG2 and IgG3. These results suggest that IgG1 has a much lower affinity for protein A than IgG2 or IgG3 and that normal mouse serum IgG1 can be purified by such a simple procedure.

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Two sexually active female patients presented with acute meningitis. The CSF abnormalities were severe and persistent. In spite of the absence of genital lesions, serological studies revealed a primary infection by herpes simplex virus type 2. An immunoblot study revealed intrathecal synthesis of anti-herpes antibodies early in the course of the disease.