title: [Contribution of CSF/serum immunofixation to the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis and other inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system produce various and nonspecific symptoms. The diagnosis of these diseases is ultimately a clinical decision, although examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and other complementary tests such magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evoked potentials can be contributive. One important aspect of these diseases is intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulins.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to determine the contribution of CSF/serum immunofixation to the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, we conducted a retrospective study in the biochemistry laboratory of the military instruction hospital Mohammed V. 363 CSF/serum samples were collected over a period of four years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunofixation was less sensitive than MRI for the diagnosis of inflammatory neurological disease (44% vs 87%), but was much more specific than MRI (97% for immunofixation vs 38%). The positive predictive value was higher that for MRI (85% vs 40%). The negative predictive value (80%) was close to that of MRI (86%). The bivariate analysis showed that immunofixation results could be predicted from clinical findings and complementary test results such as the index of Link, syphilis serology in CSF, and MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Semi-automatic Hydrasys immunofixation of CSF IgG is a technique exhibiting excellent diagnostic and analytical performance for the diagnosis of inflammatory neurological diseases.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de biochimie et de toxicologie, Service de neurologie, hôpital militaire d'instruction Mohamed V, Rabat, Morocco. reda.tagajdid@laposte.net
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tagajdid
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouaiti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dami
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Machtani Idrissi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bouhassain
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ouzzif
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Derouiche
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bourazza
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tellal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D047468:Immunoprecipitation / Q000379:methods*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002556:Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G