Cytological, Immunocytochemical and Biochemical Cerebrospinal Fluid Investigations in Selected Central Nervous System Disorders of Dogs

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained from 20 clinically healthy dogs and from 15 dogs affected by neurological disorders were examined for total and differential cell counts, immunocytochemistry for canine distemper virus antigen, total protein concentration and electrophoretic separation, and glucose and enzyme determination. Dogs affected by canine distemper showed an increase in macrophages, presence of specific inclusion bodies, and an increase in total protein concentration and gamma-globulin fraction. In bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis pleocytosis, increase of total proteins with special regard to high molecular weight proteins, elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alterations of LDH isoenzyme profile, and decrease in glucose levels were detected; inflammatory disorders were more often characterized by an increase in LDH level, while in non-inflammatory disorders (hydrocephalus and spinal cord neoplasia) no variation in LDH levels was detected. Analysis of CSF in dogs appears relatively easy to perform and may help in establishing the condition of the blood-brain barrier as well as in the diagnosis of neurological disorders.

Evaluation of electrophoretic profile and albumin quota in the cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with distemper showing or not neurvous signs

“…Also, this globulin had values a little higher than the normal range reported by Sorjonen (1987), Sorjonen et al (1989) and Thomas et al (1993). An increase in CSF γ-globulins was seen in dogs with distemper, which was also observed in this research for animals of G3, despite the levels of this globulin in this study were much higher than reports from many investigators (Cutler and Averill, 1969;Abate et al, 1998). The magnitude of the blood-brain barrier harm and γ-globulins transudation could be the explanation for the changes found in this study, but it deserves to emphasize the possibility of local production of immunoglobulins within the nervous system, or both concurrently.…”

“…Moreover, the results from both groups were within the reference range (Krakowka et al, 1987;Sorjonem, 1987). The albumin fraction reported for these groups corresponds to nearly 30% of CSF total protein, which was also observed by Sorjonem (1987) and Abate et al (1998). However, it did not confirm a preceding investigation of Mayhew and Beal (1980), which showed that normal cerebrospinal fluid protein is composed almost entirely of albumin.…”

“…In the dogs of G3, it was observed a significant increase in CSF protein, according to several studies of viral neurological diseases (Safarty et al, 1986;Sorjonem, 1987;Abate et al 1998). Furthermore, the mean values of total protein from animals of group were greater than those previously reported by Feitosa et al (1997) in dogs with distemper in the nervous phase.…”

Changes in the Creatine Kinase and Lactate Dehydrogenase Activities in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Dogs with Thoracolumbar Disc Disease

“…Others speculate that high creatine kinase activity results from blood contamination of the fluid sample due to changes in permeability of the blood-brain barrier (Indrieri et al 1980;Wilson 1977). Abate et al (1998) postulated that during neurological diseases, these enzymes are released in CSF as a consequence of tissue damage and/or increased permeability of the blood brain barrier. Heavner et al (1986) found approximately 10 times higher activity of the LDH in serum, than in the CSF.…”

“…Cul ebr as-Fer nández (1971) stated that diseases chronically affecting gray matter and acute, extensive diseases of CNS may cause elevation in the LDH levels, whereas diseases affecting the myelin may cause elevated values of CK in people. In veterinary medicine the CSF CK activity was evaluated in dogs (Abate et al 1998;Indrieri et al 1980;Wilson 1977;Wright 1980) and horses (Furr and Tyler 1990;Jackson et al 1996). Creatine kinase activity was increased in cases of feline toxoplasmosis and feline infectious peritonitis (Wilson 1977).…”