Methods and kits for detecting cerebrospinal fluid in a sample

Abstract

The present invention relates to detection of the presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a sample, in particular to the analysis of the CSF protein lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (PGDS). The present invention provides assays for the analysis of PGDS indicating the presence or absence of CSF in a sample.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for detection of cerebrospinal fluid in a sample, comprising: providing a sample from a subject, wherein said subject is undergoing neural blockade; and 
 a) detecting the presence or absence of prostaglandin D2 synthase in said sample to detect cerebrospinal fluid in said sample.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid in a sample comprises determining the amount of prostaglandin D2 synthase in the sample.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained from a device selected from the group consisting of a needle and a catheter.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained before catheter placement.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained after catheter placement.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained before administration of fluid.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained after administration of fluid.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained before administration of a drug.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sample is obtained after administration of a drug.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is undergoing surgery.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is undergoing pain management.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said pain management is after surgery.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said pain management is after trauma.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said pain management is during labor and delivery.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said neural blockade comprises regional anesthesia.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said neural blockade comprises regional analgesia.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said detecting comprises differential antibody binding.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said detecting comprises an in situ immunoassay