A simple method to detect intrathecal production of specific antimeasles antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid during subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

The intrathecal production of antimeasles antibodies was studied using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in eight specimens of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with clinical signs of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). The test was performed using a 1:5 dilution of CSF and a 1:2000 dilution of serum (ratio 1:400) in order to nullify the physiological gradient of immunoglobulins across the blood brain barrier (BBB). This procedure allowed a rapid and accurate assessment of the synthesis of specific immunoglobulins in the CSF and a good evaluation of the permeability of the BBB. A diagnosis of SSPE was provided in five out of eight patients with clinical signs of the disease. Clinical follow-up confirmed the diagnosis of SSPE in the group of patients with clear evidence of intrathecal synthesis of antimeasles antibodies.