Resolving Transferrin Isoforms 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 β₂-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.