CSF TAU Protein (Beta 2 Transferrin) for Rhinorrhoea

Immunology

---

Description

Serum Transferrin is a beta-1 glycoprotein with four sialic acid residues. Beta-2 transferrin with beta-2 mobility has no sialic acid residues ( asialotransferrin or tau protein ). It is produced by neuraminidase activity in the brain causing desialation of transferrin [3,4]. In circulating blood asialoglycoprotein receptors present in the liver clear asialotransferrin, however these receptors are absent in the central nervous system which may lead to raised levels of asialotransferrin in the CSF. It has also been hypothesized that a lack of specific glycosylation enzymes in the brain may be a cause of accumulation [1]. When a sample is suspected of being CSF as for example in possible CSF rhinorrhoea or leakage of CSF into the nasal or ear passages after trauma, confirmation can be obtained by the presence of the beta-2 variant on electrophoresis and immunofixation [2]. Both CSF and serum sample are run as controls. CSF controls show beta-1 and beta-2 transferrin bands, serum controls show only the beta-1 band.

---

Indications

Confirmation of CSF rhinorrhoea / CSF Otorrhoea.

---

Sample Type

1 mL nasal or ear secretion.
Requests from outside Sheffield: transport at ambient temperature via Royal Mail or Courier.

---

Reference Range

Positive = CSF present.

---

Turnaround Time

Within 5 days

---

Testing Frequency

Weekly

---

References

Brown K, et al. Characterisation of transferrin glycopeptide structures in human cerebrospinal fluid. Int J Mass Spec. 2011. In press. [Ref 1]
PRU Handbook of Clinical Immunochemistry. 9th Edition. 2007. [Ref 2]
Gorogh T, et al. Separation of beta-2 transferrin by denaturing gel electrophoresis to detect cerebrospinal fluid in ear and nasal fluids. 2005. Clin Chem. 51( 9 ):1704-1710. [Ref 3]
Nandapalan V, Watson ID and Swift AC. Beta-2 transferrin and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea. Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1996. 21( 3 ):259-264. [Ref 4]

---

Please note: the above information is subject to change and we endeavour to keep this website up to date wherever necessary.