High resolution protein electrophoresis of equine cerebrospinal fluid.
OBJECTIVE
To determine normal CSF electrophoresis patterns in horses, and to determine whether the electrophoretic scans from horses with cervical compression differ from those of neurologically normal horses.


METHODS
32 horses assigned to 1 of 2 groups: neurologically normal (n = 18) or cervical compression (n = 14).


METHODS
CSF was collected from 18 neurologically normal horses referred to the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, and protein electrophoresis was performed to describe the normal equine CSF electrophoretogram. Results of CSF electrophoresis from 14 horses with cervical compression were then compared with results for the neurologically normal horses.


RESULTS
Horses with cervical compression had decreased beta-globulin fraction, and 1 or 2 prominent post-beta 2 peak(s). When the presence of post-beta peaks was used as a diagnostic criterion for cervical compression, the test had sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 81.8%. The positive and negative predictive values were 83.3 and 69.2%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrophoresis of CSF may be a useful diagnostic aid in evaluation of horses with neurologic disease.
Furr
M
M
Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Leesburg 20177, USA.
Chickering
W R
WR
Robertson
J
J
D000818:Animals; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods; D006734:Horse Diseases; D006736:Horses / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012016:Reference Values; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000662:veterinary*
D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D011228:Prealbumin; D012709:Serum Albumin; D012712:Serum Globulins