Radioimmunoassay of Herpes-Simplex and Measles Virus Antibodies in Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients Without Infectious or Demyelinating Diseases of The Central Nervous System

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Abstract
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay was used to detect Ig[immunoglobulin]G antibodies against herpes-simplex virus antigens (capsid, envelope and excreted) and against measles virus antigen in serum and CSF specimens of 61 patients with no evidence of infectious or demyelinating disease of the CNS. Quantitative determinations of IgG and albumin in serum and CSF were also performed. Of the 61 serum and 61 CSF samples tested, 57 and 56, respectively, contained antibodies against subunit antigens of herpes simplex virus. Antibody against measles virus was found in 59 serum and 47 CSF specimens. A positive correlation (P < 0.001) was found between each of the 4 serum to CSF antibody ratios and the serum to CSF total IgG ratios. Apparently, the distribution of antiviral IgG antibodies in serum and CSF normally follows the distribution of total IgG. The ratios between viral antibody in serum and CSF were also correlated with albumin ratios (P < 0.05). An inverse relation (P < 0.001) was found between the age of the patients and their serum to CSF albumin ratios, but not their IgG ratios, suggesting that the albumin ratio is a useful indicator of a blood brain barrier lesion and that the IgG ratio should be used in evaluating disturbed antibody ratios.