The fractionation of cerebrospinal fluid proteins by cellulose acetate electrophoresis in children with infectious diseases of the central nervous system (author's transl).

The increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier during acute inflammation of the central nervous system leads to changes of the cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) protein pattern. Initially, in the cases of bacterial meningitis, cellulos acetate electrophoresis revealed decreased prealbumin, albumin and tau-globulin fraktion whereas alpha- and gamma-globulin fractions were found increased. In later stages of purulent inflammation a hydrocephalus occurred in five children, associated with an increased amount of albumin in the C.S.F. Cases of viral meningoencephalitis had a characteristic decrease of prealbumin and increase of gamma-globulin, the lowered prealbumin values were found more often. In three cases of congenital encephalitis pathological patterns of C.S.F. proteins were still found 1--1 1/2 years postpartum. Children with acute peripheral facial palsy and febrile convulsions had a normal C.S.F. protein profile.