CSF: cytology in Horses (Equis) | Vetlexicon
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CSF: cytology

ISSN 2398-2977


Overview

  • Changes most dramatically with inflammation, being more reliable in acute conditions.
  • The type and number of cells helps identify cause   CSF: cell count and differential  .

Uses

Alone

  • Diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation.

In combination

  • With protein electrophoresis: to differentiate inflammatory changes from other non-inflammatory causes in general.

Other points

  • As CNS disease progresses, cytology of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) becomes a less reliable diagnostic tool.

Sampling

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Tests

Methodologies

  • Total cell count with hemocytometer.
  • Giemsa-stained smear of fluid directly or of cells concentrated by centrifugation, sedimentation, membrane filtration.

Availability

  • Widely available.

Technique intrinsic limitations

  • CSF samples can be contaminated with blood, this necessitates correction of cell count and differential   CSF: cell count and differential  .
  • CSF cytology changes as CNS illness progresses.

Result Data

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Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
  • Johnson P J & Constantinescu G M (2000) Collection of cerebrospinal fluid in horses. Equine Vet Educ 12, 7-12.
  • Johnson P J & Constantinescu G M (2000) Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in horses. Equine Vet Educ 12, 13-17.