Summary
A hundred and one samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were obtained from patients
with bacterial meningitis (18), viral meningitis (9), lymphoproliferative disorders
(33), 15 with meningeal infiltrations, multiple sclerosis (8), stroke (8) and 25 subjects
with normal CSF. All samples were studied for VIIIR: Ag with specific and sensitive
immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) and Laurell’s technique.
Prothrombin and factor IX antigenic activities were investigated by Laurell’s technique.
Simultaneously, plasma specimens from ten patients with bacterial meningitis were
evaluated. Only a selective increase of VIIIR: Ag was demonstrated in CSF from bacterial
meningitis whereas prothrombin and factor IX were not detected. VIIIR: Ag plasma and
CSF levels were uncorrelated. Similarly, no relationship could be established between
the degree of elevation of VIIIR: Ag in the CSF and their protein concentration.
These findings suggest that VIIIR :Ag elevation in CSF has diagnostic value for bacterial
meningitis and that disruption of the blood-brain barrier is not responsible for their
elevated levels. Accordingly, the presence of VIIIR :Ag in CSF may be an indication
of endothelial damage in the choroid plexi.
Keywords
Cerebrospinal fluid - Factor VIII-related antigen - Bacterial meningitis
