Abstract
We performed proteomics analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of healthy dogs and dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE). By comparing two-dimensional electrophoreses (2DE), an upregulated spot was found in MUE dogs. This protein was identified as a neuron-specific enolase (NSE) by analysis with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. In comparing dot blots using an antibody against NSE, the NSE levels in the CSF of MUE dogs was significantly higher than that of the controls. NSE is a diagnostic marker of neuroendocrine tumors, brain injury, spinal cord trauma in humans. It seems that the NSE concentration in the CSF is increased by cellular destruction in canine encephalitis. Though elevation of NSE may not be specific in canine encephalitis because NSE level was increased in other CNS disease, further study including the measurement with the serum is necessary.
