Abstract
A combined indirect ELISA and immunoblotting assay was used for the detection of intrathecal synthesis of IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with HSV encephalitis (HSVE). By using these two assays as well as three markers for blood-brain barrier, leakage can be easily excluded. A total of 21 sera and 24 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 11 patients with HSVE were examined. For seven patients more than one pair of serum and CSF were available. For one patient IgG antibodies began to be detectable in CSF after the sixth day from the onset of the disease. In the other 10 patients the intrathecal synthesis of HSV IgG antibodies was detected later than the sixth day and reached high optical density (OD) values after the 10th day from the onset of disease, at the earliest. In contrast, intrathecal HSV antibody synthesis was not found in specimens taken from 20 patients with acute meningitis who composed our negative control group. The use of a combined indirect ELISA and of an immunoblotting assay on a single dilution of serum and CSF for HSV IgG synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS) allowed the diagnosis of HSVE after the first week of disease.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
