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Old 01-22-2008, 06:03 PM
glenntaj glenntaj is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
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glenntaj glenntaj is offline
Magnate
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 2,857
15 yr Member
Default Between what you've listed here--

--as regards protein, and what's on www.lizajane.org, including the infectious testing (VDRL for syphilis, polymerase chain reaction culturing for bacteria/viruses, gram stain for bacteria/yeast) it's a pretty comprehensive list.

Two things that might also be included--the India Ink test for fungal infection, and possibly, within the protein testing, a specific subdivision for cerebrospinal albumin level. This latter is done when overall protein reading come in high to see if this is all due to increased IgG antibodies or whether albumin levels are contributing (though the level of albumin is typically around 1/250th to 1/500th of what it is in serum).

The unfortunate thing about finding high levels of protein, particularly IgG, in CSF is that it's not that specific an indicator. It doesn't always even mean that an immune reaction is ongoing, although that is the presumption. CSF protein is typically elevated in Gullain Barre, CIDP, MS, meningitis, and Cushing's Disease, but may also be elevated in hypothyroid conditions, uremia, people with brain or spinal tumors, even diabetes . . .even the addition of oligoclonal bands, more typical for autoimmune condtions, especially if they are not also present in a serum electrophoresis, doesn't "cinch" those diagnoses.
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