Significance of surface epithelial cells in canine cerebrospinal fluid and relationship to central nervous system disease.
BACKGROUND
The term "surface epithelium" is used to describe cells, including meningeal, choroid plexus, ependymal, and endothelial cells, that are found in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and are difficult to distinguish cytologically. We hypothesized that the presence of surface epithelial cells in canine CSF was associated with specific diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).


OBJECTIVE
In this retrospective study the frequency of surface epithelial cells in CSF from dogs with neurologic disease was investigated along with the potential association with age, specific type of CNS disease, and CSF total nucleated cell count (TNCC) and protein concentration.


METHODS
The frequency of surface epithelial cells in 359 canine CSF samples was analyzed for 5 disease groups: CNS neoplasia, CNS compression, CNS inflammation, idiopathic epilepsy, and miscellaneous diseases. Groups were also combined into those with and without expected meningeal involvement. Association of the presence of surface epithelial cells in CSF with age, disease type, and CSF TNCC and protein concentration was investigated.


RESULTS
Surface epithelial cells were found in 27 of 359 (7.5%) CSF samples: CNS neoplasia 2/30 (6.7%), CNS compression 7/64 (10.9%), CNS inflammation 1/39 (2.6%), idiopathic epilepsy 8/124 (6.5%), and miscellaneous diseases 9/102 (8.8%). Significant associations between surface epithelial cell presence in CSF and age, disease type, CSF TNCC, and CSF protein concentration were not found.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of surface epithelial cells was not related to a specific disease group or CSF changes in the studied population. Thus, the presence of surface epithelial cells should be interpreted carefully, as it could represent an incidental finding in CSF specimens.
Wessmann
Annette
A
Division of Companion Animal Science, Institute of Comparative Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Glasgow Veterinary School, Glasgow, UK. a.wessmann@vet.gla.ac.uk
Volk
Holger A
HA
Chandler
Kate
K
Brodbelt
David
D
Szladovits
Balazs
B
D000818:Animals; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D008581:Meningitis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies