Intrathecal production of measles-specific IgA in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.

Objective: We measured measles-specific IgA in matched pairs of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sera of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), multiple sclerosis (MS), other central nervous system (CNS) infectious diseases (INF) and other neurological diseases (OND) by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Materials and Methods: CSF and sera from 23 patients with SSPE, 15 with MS, 14 with INF, and 15 with OND were included in the study.
Results: The ratios of measles-specific IgA in CSF to serum were increased in SSPE patients compared to patients with MS, INF or OND.
Conclusion: The data indicate a local production of measles-specific IgA in the CNS of SSPE patients.