Effects of iatrogenic blood contamination on results of cerebrospinal fluid analysis in clinically normal dogs and dogs with neurologic disease.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects that iatrogenic blood contamination would have on total protein concentration and nucleated cell count in CSF from clinically normal dogs and dogs with neurologic disease.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
53 dogs confirmed to have neurologic disease and 21 clinically normal dogs.


METHODS
CSF samples were obtained from the cerebellomedullary cistern or the lumbar portion of the subarachnoid space. Red blood and nucleated cell counts were determined, and protein concentration was measured.


RESULTS
RBC count was not significantly correlated with nucleated cell count or protein concentration in clinically normal dogs or dogs with neurologic disease.


CONCLUSIONS
High CSF nucleated cell counts and protein concentrations are indicative of neurologic disease, even if samples contain moderate amounts of blood contamination.
Hurtt
A E
AE
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Smith
M O
MO
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000662:veterinary*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology*; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000662:veterinary*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000009:adverse effects*
D001798:Blood Proteins; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins