Pandy's test
Pandy's test is done on the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) to detect the elevated levels of proteins. This test is named after the Hungarian neurologist, Pándy Kálmán who developed this test in the year 1910.
Principle
Proteins are precipitated by a saturated solution of phenol in water.The reagent used is phenol or, pyrogallic acid or, cresol, usually termed as Pandy's reagent or Pandy's solution.
Procedure
One drop of CSF sample, is added to about 1ml of Pandy's solution. The turbid appearance signifies the presence of elevated levels of globulin protein in the CSF and is regarded as positive Pandy's reaction. The CSF from a normal adult shows no turbidity or precipitates and this is a negative Pandy's reaction.Reactions and Results
Proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid, normally albumin and globulin are present in the ratio of 8 to 1. Increases in protein levels are of diagnostic value in neurological diseases.''The normal CSF is clear and transparent fluid. The Pandy's reaction makes it translucent or opaque.''
Positive test
A positive test shows a bluish-white streak of precipitated proteins. The degree of turbidity depends on the amount of protein in the CSF. It can vary from faint turbidity to dense milky precipitate.The positive Pandy's reaction may indicate one or more of the following pathological conditions:
- Diabetes mellitus
- Brain tumor
- Encapsulated brain abscess
- Spinal cord tumor
- Multiple sclerosis
- Acute purulent Meningitis
- Granulomatous Meningitis
- Carcinomatous Meningitis
- Syphilis
- Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Cushing's disease
- Connective tissue disease
- Uremia
- Myxedema
- Cerebral hemorrhage
Negative test
No cloudy turbidity observed. The CSF sample is normal i.e. with normal protein contents.''Please note that the normal CSF protein is also obtained in several pathological conditions like viral CNS infections, brainstem glioma, ischemic cerebrovascular accident.''