CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID LYMPHOCYTES IN EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Abstract

Characteristics are reported of the CSF pleocytosis (616 .+-. 148 cells/.mu.l) that occurred in guinea-pigs with definite clinical experimental allergic encephalomyelitis developing 12-16 days after sensitization with homologous myelin basic protein. This pleocytosis was not present in the CSF of a group of animals studied when still healthy, 9 or 10 days after similar sensitization. Of the cells in the CSF pleocytosis, 89% were small lymphocytes, 8% were larger lymphocytes and the remainder mostly monocytes. Of the lymphocytes, most were E[erythrocyte]-rosetting or null cells. B[bone marrow derived]-cell markers were uncommon. The cellular patterns in this CSF pleocytosis appear to be similar to those seen in some delayed hypersensitivity responses.