FLUORESCENCE AND NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES TO HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS-SYSTEM DISEASES

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 12  (6) , 553-559
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus antibodies were studied in 73 patients with various CNS diseases. In 29 patients there were rising titers of fluorescence and neutralizing antibodies to herpes simplex virus in the CSF. The CSF antibodies were predominantly IgG [immunoglobulin]G]. In 1 patient, IgM was found during the 4th, but not during the 8th wk of illness. The CSF antibody titers did not correlate with the serum antibody titers or with the severity of the neurologic defect. No fluorescence antibodies were found in the CSF of 52 of 53 control patients. The presence of CSF fluorescence antibodies may be of considerable value in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis. The absence of these antibodies in the early stage of the disease does not exclude the possibility of infection with herpes simplex virus.