Additional evidence of the relation between subacute inclusion-body encephalitis and measles virus.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Additional evidence of the relation between subacute inclusion-body encephalitis and measles virus.

AU - Freeman, J. M.

AU - Magoffin, R. L.

AU - Lennette, E. H.

AU - Herndon, R. M.

N1 - Funding Information: Discussion The evidence presented documents the presence of tubular structures identical in morphology with the group-ll myxoviruses. Immunofluorescent studies indicate that an antigen related to measles is component of the inclusions. Because of the striking cross-immunity between measles, distemper, and rinderpest viruses, it is difficult to establish the specific agent within this group. Rinderpest is exceedingly unlikely, however, since this virus has never been isolated in the United States or England (Dayan et al. 1967). Distemper virus has never been known to cause disease in man. The inclusions did not stain with fluorescein-conjugated distemper-immune serum which readily stained distemper-virus-infected cell cultures. Ferrets, which are notably susceptible to distemper, remained healthy after inoculation with brain material from these two patients. These three facts constitute strong evidence against distemper virus being the aetiological agent. In support of the relation of this disease to measles virus are the raised measles-antibody titres reported here and by others (Connolly et al. 1967), and the immuno- fluorescent staining of the inclusions with measles antibody. It has been shown that sera from animals infected with distemper virus show little or no cross-reactivity with measles virus, whereas those infected with measles virus have elevated distemper-antibody titres (Roberts 1965). The elevated distemper-antibody titres of these two patients were thus consistent with measles virus infection. The fact that both our patients and those reported by Connolly et al. (1967) had had measles many years pre- viously suggests the possibility of latent infection with measles virus which has become reactivated. The possibility that this is a viral agent, unidentified, but immunologically related to the virus cannot be excluded. We thank Dr. Lucien J. Rubinstein for advice in the preparation of this manuscript, Mr. James Woodie for technical assistance, and Dr. John Riggs for advice in performing the immunofluorescent examinations. This investigation was supported by Public Health Service research grant no. FR 70, from the General Clinical Research Center Branch, Division of Research Facilities and Resources. The distemper-immune serum was supplied by the Reference Reagents Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Requests for reprints should be addressed to J. M. F., Department Pediatrics, Center, Alto, 94304, of U.S.A. Stanford Medical Palo California

PY - 1967/7/15

Y1 - 1967/7/15

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U2 - 10.1016/s0140-6736(67)92965-0

DO - 10.1016/s0140-6736(67)92965-0

M3 - Article

C2 - 4165642

AN - SCOPUS:0014205734

SN - 0140-6736

VL - 290

SP - 129

EP - 131

JO - The Lancet

JF - The Lancet

IS - 7507

ER -