Neuroimmunitary profile estimation in cerebrospinal fluid and its importance in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin (Alb.) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 14 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), with and without leukaemic infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS). The following indexes: (formula; see text) were calculated and used to express a protein profile of the CSF. This profile was found to be inflammatory-like in 10 children (71%) and normal in 4 (29%). The first two indexes, that reflect a local synthesis of IgG correlated significantly (r = 0.823; p less than 0.001). The follow-up made in five children showed a relationship between clinical course and local IgG synthesis.