Effect of Specific Antibodies on Chronic Echovirus Type 5 Encephalitis in a Patient with Hypogammaglobulinemia

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Abstract
The effects of specific antibodies [Ab] in chronic echovirus type 5 (echo 5) encephalitis were investigated in a patient with X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia. Virus was detected in CSF and blood despite treatment with commercial human .gamma.-globulin that contained low titers of Ab to echo 5 (0.6 .times. 104 units/injection). Virus disappeared from blood and CSF when plasma containing high concentrations of Ab (total dose, 1-4 .times. 104 units/kg) was administered i.v. Maximal inhibition of virus was achieved in culture and in the patient''s CSF when the titer of Ab to echo 5 in CSF was .gtoreq. 16 units/ml. Although the patient died, hyperimmune plasma improved the neurologic status and eliminated detectable virus from the blood and CSF.