[Analyses of 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Preliminary report]. / Badania bialka 14-3-3 w plynie mózgowo-rdzeniowym w chorobie Creutzfeldta-Jakoba. Doniesienie wstepne.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Definitive diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is possible only after neuropathological confirmation; there are no non-invasive tests which allow to definitely diagnose CJD pre mortem. The only one biochemical marker included in the diagnostic criteria for CJD approved by WHO is an elevated level of 14-3-3 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of the study was to introduce 14-3-3 analysis for a routine diagnostics of CJD in Poland and to optimise the Western blotting technique used in the Reference Centre of Prion Diseases in Lodz. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed 33 samples of CSF 17 from patients suspected of CJD (2 definitive, 2 probable, 4 possible, 11 others), and 16 controls (from patients with other neurological diseases). CSF samples were analysed using the Western blotting method and commercially available antibodies (Santa Cruz). We used 2 methods of CSF preparation with and without lyophilization, and 2 different anti-14-3-3 antibodies rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: We found 14-3-3 protein in both definitive sCJD cases and in one probable case. Among other samples, we obtained a positive result only in one patient with alcohol abuse history and in samples of CSF contaminated with erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: The Western blotting test for 14-3-3 protein in CSF is useful for diagnosis of CJD, but only when considered in an appropriate clinical context, together with other diagnostic criteria. Contamination of CSF with erythrocytes can cause false positive results. Analysis of a non-lyophilised CSF and detection of 14-3-3 protein using the mouse monoclonal antibody gave the most reliable results.