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Cell-mediated immunity in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|October 1, 1976
Summary
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients show deficient cellular immunity despite high antibody levels. Transfer factor temporarily restored immune response, but clinical symptoms persisted.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neurology
- Virology
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a severe, progressive neurological disease.
- It results from a persistent measles virus infection.
- Humoral immunity is often high in SSPE, but cellular immunity is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cell-mediated immune response in patients with SSPE.
- To assess the effect of transfer factor on cellular immunity in SSPE.
Main Methods:
- Investigated in vivo and in vitro cell immune responses in eight SSPE patients.
- Assessed skin reactions to common antigens and migration inhibition factor (MIF) to specific antigens.
- Administered transfer factor to two patients and monitored immune response.
Main Results:
- All SSPE patients exhibited a definite deficiency in cellular immunity.
- Skin tests and MIF assays confirmed impaired cell-mediated immune responses.
- Transfer factor treatment temporarily restored cellular immune response in two patients.
Conclusions:
- SSPE is characterized by a significant deficit in cellular immunity, irrespective of disease stage or humoral antibody titers.
- Transfer factor can transiently improve cellular immune function in SSPE.
- Despite immune restoration, clinical improvement was not observed, suggesting other factors contribute to SSPE pathogenesis.