Passive Hemagglutinating Antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluids in Herpesvirus Hominis Encephalitis

Abstract

Passive hemagglutinating antibodies (PHA) to herpesvirus hominis were assayed in spinal fluids obtained during illnesses in seven patients with herpesvirus encephalitis. There were five cases in adults due to type 1 virus, and two perinatal type 2 infections. CSF-PHA were present in each case. Antibodies in CSF were IgM in the neonatal cases, but predominantly IgG in the rest. PHA in spinal fluid do not correlate with degree of meningeal injury as indicated by pleocytoses or protein. Kinetics of rises in PHA in spinal fluids and sera suggest that the antiherpesvirus antibodies in the central nervous system may be locally produced. PHA to herpesviruses were virtually absent in spinal fluids of 35 control patients with various conditions requiring lumbar puncture.