Cytochemical Characterization of Cerebrospinal Fluid Macrophage Inclusions in Pediatric Patients Receiving Intrathecal Nusinersen (SPINRAZA ®) for Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Conclusion: Specimens containing nusinophages had a significantly higher proportion of macrophages and lower proportion of lymphocytes than those in which nusinophages were not detected. The macrophage inclusions do not represent iron or microorganisms and instead are composed, at least in part, of glycosaminoglycans. Because CSF is a common specimen type, cytotechnologists and cytopathologists need to be aware of these inclusions, so they do not interpret them erroneously as evidence of infection or hemorrhage, especially in light of the fact that oligonucleotide therapy has been approved for a variety of conditions and is currently under investigation for intrathecal delivery in several other neurodegenerative disorders.Acta Cytologica
Source: Acta Cytologica - Category: Cytology Source Type: research