Tau protein (ß transferrin or asialo-transferrin) is present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is used as a marker for the identification of CSF. This is particularly useful in cases where CSF leakage occurs for various reasons such as for example head trauma, congenital malformation, tumour or surgical procedure. In addition, up to 40% of CSF leakage can be spontaneous. Leakage can occur from the nose, the ear, the eyes or from the head/neck wound after an injury.
Untreated poses serious risk of infection.
An example of positive Tau protein.
+ (anode)
This blot shows positive identification of CSF in nasal fluid. In tracks 3, 4, and 5 there are two bands, in the same position as the control CSF (track 1).
An example of negative Tau protein.
+(anode)
.jpg)
This nasal fluid does not contain CSF as it resembles the pattern seen with serum control (track 2).
Key: 1 = control CSF, 2 = control serum, 3 = neat nasal fluid, 4 = 1/5 diluted nasal fluid and 5 = 1/10 diluted nasal fluid