Immune complexes and visceral deposits of measles antigens in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Immunofluorescence has been used to study visceral organs from a case of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Immune complexes were shown as granular deposits of IgG, complement, and measles antigens in renal glomeruli. Measles antigens were detected in the spleen, liver, and lymph nodes from many parts of the body.Immune-complex formation may be important in the aetiology of this disease and perhaps in causing some of its tissue damage. The rarity of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis may be due to an unusual pattern of immunological reactivity required in a patient before a measles infection can produce a subacute encephalitis.