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Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis after passive immunization and natural measles infection

Role of antibody in persistence of measles virus

Neuroimmunology Branch, National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) developed in a patient in whom natural measles infection was anteceded by immunization with measles immune serum globulin (ISG). This observation prompted experimental studies of the role of antibody in viral persistence. When Balb/c mice were infected with the hamster neurotropic measles virus, acute encephalopathy was fatal in 80% of the animals. When measles antibody was administered 3 days after virus inoculation, the acute disease was abolished and subacute encephalitis had a 30% mortality. The subacute disease was characterized by the presence of neuronal viral antigen, meningitis, and encephalitis. Induction of viral persistence was therefore a consequence of antibody transfer during viral infection. Caution is advised in human prophylaxis with immune globulin.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Rammohan, National Institutes of Health, Building 36-Room 5D-14, Bethesda. MD 20205.

Accepted for publication August 18. 1981.