Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis associated glomerulopathy

Pathogenesis of virus-induced demyelination

Demyelination is a component of several viral diseases of humans. The best known of these are subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). There are a number of naturally occurring virus infections of animals that involve demyelination and many of these serve as instructive models for human demyelinating diseases. In addition to the naturally occurring diseases, many viruses have been shown to be capable of producing demyelination in experimental situations. In discussing virus-associated demyelinating disease, the chapter reviews the architecture and functional organization of the CNS and considers what is known of the interaction of viruses with CNS cells. It also discusses the immunology of the CNS that differs in several important aspects from that of the rest of the body. Experimental models of viral-induced demyelination have also been considered. Viruses capable of producing demyelinating disease have no common taxonomic features; they include both DNA and RNA viruses, enveloped and nonenveloped viruses. The chapter attempts to summarize the important factors influencing viral demyelination, their common features, and possible mechanisms.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: influence of the clinical course and treatment with isoprinosine on non-specific cell-mediated and humoral immunity

Cell-mediated and humoral immunity were studied in 30 patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). Marked changes in cell-mediated immunity were observed, manifested as a decrease in total lymphocyte count, decrease of proportion of T cells forming late E rosettes, depression in lymphocyte blastogenesis, production of migration inhibition factor and delayed-type skin reactivity. The humoral immune responses was not so markedly changed and only increased levels of serum IgG, IgM and the C3c fragment of complement were noticed. The changes in immunity were more pronounced in patients with a more advanced stage of the disease. 19 patients were investigated 3 times at 7-week intervals during treatment with isoprinosine. In the group of patients (10 cases) whose clinical status was rapidly deteriorating, a marked decline of cell-mediated immunity was observed. In the group of patients showing a stationary course of the disease, cellular immunity was improving. The mechanism of the disturbances of non-specific immunity in SSPE and the influence of isoprinosine on the immune answer are discussed.

Arachidonic acid infusion in rabbits. Renal pathologic alterations

Arachidonic acid infusion in rabbits is highly lethal, death occurring in greater than 90% of animals and most within 1 to 2 minutes. This effect may be inhibited by prior administration of vitamin E. Pathologic examination of renal tissue from animals killed in this manner demonstrated immunoglobulin and fibrin deposition in the glomeruli and interstitium of the kidney. No pathologic alterations were detected by light microscopy. Electromicroscopy revealed some endothelial cell swelling with no evidence of electron dense deposits, indicating the absence of immune complexes. Pathologic examination of the kidneys suggest the deposition of immunoglobulin in a non complexed form.