Resolving Transferrin lsoforms via Agarose Gel Electrophoresis

Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks may present as rhinorrhea or otorrhea and can lead to life-threatening complications if not detected. The usefulness of the morpholinopropanesulfonic acid (MOPS) histidine buffer in detecting beta(2)-transferrin, which is only found in the cerebrospinal fluid, was compared with the standard barbital buffer. Methods: We evaluated 20 aural or nasal patient specimens submitted for CSF testing via agarose electrophoresis with barbital and MOPS-histidine buffers. Results: The MOPS-histidine and barbital buffers revealed 5 transferrin bands and 2 transferrin bands with CSF, respectively. Seventeen of 20 patient specimens had concordant results. The 3 discrepant specimens initially tested negative with the barbital buffer and positive with the MOPS-histidine buffer. Two of the 3 patient specimens later tested positive with the barbital buffer when a new specimen was submitted. Conclusion: Agarose electrophoresis with the MOPS-histidine buffer increases the resolution of transferrin isoforms.