Oudart JB, Zucchini L, Maquart FX, Dubernard X, Labrousse M, Fiabane G, Quedreux A, Litre F, Ramont L. Tau protein as a possible marker of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea: A pilot study.
Biochem Med (Zagreb) 2017;
27:030703. [PMID:
28900366 PMCID:
PMC5575651 DOI:
10.11613/bm.2017.030703]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
The management of posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea remains a clinical challenge. Cerebrospinal fistula is a dural defect responsible for possible CSF leakage into the contiguous air-filled cavities located at the skull base. The risk of central nervous system infection in these conditions is severe and can be life threatening. Consequently, a specific CSF biomarker might be used in case of difficult diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhoea. CSF Tau protein is a neuronal protein, commonly assessed for diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease (AD). The aim of this study was to determine whether the Tau protein could be a relevant marker of CSF leakage.
Materials and methods
Tau protein measurement was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 13 patients with CSF leakage (CSF rhinorrhoea group), and 8 patients with spontaneous aqueous rhinorrhoea (non-CSF leakage group). The serum concentration of Tau protein was measured by ELISA in both CSF rhinorrhoea group and non-CSF leakage group.
Results
In patients with CSF leakage, CSF Tau protein median concentration was 479 ng/L (197 - 2325 ng/L). On the other hand, the Tau protein concentration was below the lower limit of quantification (LLoQ) (< 87 ng/L) in non-CSF leakage group. Serum Tau protein concentration by ELISA was also below LLoQ (< 87 ng/L) for all subjects.
Conclusion
ELISA measurement of Tau protein in rhinorrhoea fluid may be a reliable and relevant marker for detecting the presence of CSF in the nasal discharge and sign the existence of a CSF leakage.
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