Search

A case of identical twins is reported in which only 1 was affected by subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. The affected twin showed a defect of cellular immunity, mainly a decrease of T lymphocytes. This defect therefore appears to be a consequence and not a genetic determinant of the disease.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) occurred in 3 unrelated children affected with different genetic forms of hypoparathyroidism (HPT). Clinical or laboratory evidence of an immunological deficit before SSPE onset was ascertained in cases 1 and 3. At the onset of SSPE, all cases showed signs of increased central nervous system (CNS) excitability due to poorly regulated blood calcium levels, and cases 1 and 2 had papilledema. Epidemiological evaluation suggests that the association of SSPE and HPT is not accidental. In HPT, both a subtle immunological deficit and CNS involvement may be predisposing factors of SSPE.

Surface markers of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cells have been studied in comparison with those of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The great majority (about 95%) of CSF cells bear surface markers of thymus-dependent lymphocytes (E rosettes with uncoated sheep red blood cells), while being devoid of bone-marrow derived cell markers (EAC rosettes with complement-coated red blood cells). In contrast with lymphocytes from peripheral blood, CSF cells form predominantly 'early' and 'sphere'-shaped E rosettes, and bear receptors for the complement-fixing segment of immunoglobulins G. Treatment with concentrated CSF does not affect rosette forming ability of peripheral blood lymphocytes.