A comparison of cellulose acetate immunofixation with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis for the detection of oligoclonal bands in unconcentrated cerebrospinal fluid

Two methods of electrophoresis for the detection of oligoclonal bands in unconcentrated CSF were compared. A sample of 98 routine CSFs yielded 18 positives by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) while cellulose acetate electrophoresis with immunofixation (CAIF) gave 13 positives (72% of the PAGE findings). Despite the loss of sensitivity the cellulose acetate electrophoresis was easier to interpret and more suited to a routine hospital laboratory.