title: Differentiation of the humoral immune response in herpes simplex encephalitis.
abstract: Six patients with herpes simplex encephalitis were investigated. Antibody activities against different viral antigens were determined in serum and cerebrospinal fluid with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after adjusting both fluids to identical immunoglobulin G concentrations. In serum, the strength of the antiviral reaction remained low and no qualitative changes became detectable. In cerebrospinal fluid, at first locally synthesized antibodies were directed against the same antigens as in serum. Ten days later, the intrathecal reaction increased with additional antibodies against at least two antigens. Once established, this expanded heterogeneity remained stable during the course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Neurologic Clinic of the University of Cologne, F.R.G.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Schädlich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nekic
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Felgenhauer
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006561:Herpes Simplex; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral