title: Consensus recommendations of the Italian Association for Neuroimmunology for immunochemical cerebrospinal fluid examination.
abstract: In 2002-2003, the Italian Association for Neuroimmunology (AINI) ran a program for procedure and method standardization in neuroimmunology. The main purposes of the program were: a) to improve the overall quality of analytical performance and, simultaneously, to reduce costs by resource optimization; b) to establish the bases for clinical guidelines in neurology; c) to promote the formation of laboratory networks and of joint research projects; d) to facilitate the procedures for certification required by governmental/non-governmental agencies. This report summarizes the consensus recommendations of a panel of AINI neuroimmunologists/biochemists involved in the field of cerebrospinal fluid examination. The collection process for said recommendations was guided by "impact-factored" literature and the knowledge of the experts involved. Communication was by email and face-to-face at two dedicated AINI workshops.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroimmunology, IRCCS, Neurological Institute C. Mondino, University of Pavia, via Mondino 2, I-27100 Pavia, Italy. diego.franciotta@mondino.it
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franciotta
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Avolio
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capello
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lolli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000941:Antigens / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry / Q000592:standards*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D009462:Neurology / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G