Open AccessAnalysis of the Systemic and Intrathecal Humoral Immune Response in Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Author(s) -
Thomas Weber,
Corinna Trebst,
Stephan A. Frye,
Paola Cinque,
Luca Vago,
Christian Sindic,
Walter SchulzSchaeffer,
Hans A. Kretzschmar,
W. Enzensberger,
Gerhard Hunsmann,
Wolfgang Lüke
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the journal of infectious diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.69
H-Index - 252
eISSN - 1537-6613
pISSN - 0022-1899
DOI - 10.1086/514032
Subject(s) - progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy , leukoencephalopathy , intrathecal , immune system , immunology , medicine , progressive systemic sclerosis , antibody , humoral immunity , virology , pathology , virus , disease , surgery
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a subacute viral infection of oligodendrocytes by JC virus occurring almost exclusively in immunocompromised patients. By use of partially purified recombinant VP1 as antigen, the IgG response was analyzed by a quantitative ELISA of paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples. An intrathecal immune response to VP1, defined as an antibody-specificity index of CSF to serum antibody titers > or =1.5, was found in 76% of PML patients (47/62) but in only 3.2% of controls (5/155) (P < .001). Intra-blood-brain barrier synthesis of VP1-specific IgG antibodies is 76% sensitive and 96.8% specific for the diagnosis of PML. Furthermore, the excellent correlation (r = .985) between the plasma cell count in brain tissue and the humoral intrathecal immune response to VP1 in PML patients suggests a role for B cells in this disorder.
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