Immune Complexes in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

It has been observed that patients with Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) respond normally to skin test antigens, have normal isohemagglutinin titers, elevated serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG levels and elevated serum and CSF measles antibody titers (MAT). It has also been observed that both serum and CSF IgG levels increase with progression of the disease, while the specific measles antibody titers remain at the same level. Findings have suggested that antigenic stimuli other than the measles virus may be involved in the disease. This chapter discusses the findings based on the studies conducted circulating immune complexes in patients with SSPE. The results indicate the presence of immune complexes (IC) in the circulation of patients suffering from SSPE and the presence of a specific blocking factor in the sera and CSF of SSPE patients. It is suggested that one of the sites at which IC can be deposited is the choroid plexus. This makes the supposition of the involvement of IC in the pathogenesis of SSPE more probable. Further studies are being conducted to elucidate the role of IC in the pathogenesis of SSPE.