Detection of oligoclonal IgG bands in unconcentrated CSF in multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases by isoelectric focusing on ultrathin-layer polyacrylamide gel immunofixation and silver staining.

Isoelectric focusing of proteins (IEF) in ultrathin-layer polyacrylamide gel (0.4 mm, PAG), followed by direct immunofixation with monospecific antiserum and silver staining, is a highly specific, sensitive and simple method for the demonstration of oligoclonal IgG in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples (5-10 microliters). For the present method, the optimal concentrations of IgG in CSF samples are about 0.025-0.030 g/l, corresponding to the applied amount of 125-150 mg. In our testing of this method, oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF specimens were clearly demonstrated in 52 (96%) of 54 patients with clinically established definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), in 4 (40%) of 10 patients with infectious diseases of the CNS, and in 9 patients (25%) of 38 with other neurological diseases. Abnormal patterns were also demonstrated in the serum of patients with MS (43%). Intrathecally synthesized IgG was mathematically calculated in 43 (80%) out of 54 patients with MS. This method appears to be a useful alternative for the demonstration of oligoclonal IgG bands in the unconcentrated CSF, especially when questionable or negative results arise by routine electrophoretic technique for oligoclonal bands detection.