Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) infection: Antiviral antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

In serum and CSF-specimens from 41 patients with recent TBE, antibodies of the IgM and IgG type against TBE and mumps were determined. In all sera IgM- and IgG-anti-bodies against TBE were present, but only 20 CSF samples also contained both antibodies, in 2 only IgM- and in 8 only IgG-antibodies against TBE were detectable. The ratio of CSF to serum antibody was determined. Low ratios indicate a defect in the blood brain barrier or a local antibody production in the brain. Such a low ratio for IgG- or IgM- or for both antibody-classes was detected in 21 patients. Antibodies (only IgG-type) against mumps were found in 39 sera and in 20 CSF specimens of 41 TBE patients. Again the ratio of CSF to serum mumps antibodies were calculated and a low ratio was detected in 6 patients. A high antibody ratio for mumps IgG-antibodies, but a low for TBE antibodies (IgM and IgG) was found in 6 patients. This indicates in those cases a local antibody production in the brain itself.