Japanese encephalitis: immunocytochemical studies of viral antigen and inflammatory cells in fatal cases

Ann Neurol. 1985 Nov;18(5):567-73. doi: 10.1002/ana.410180510.

Abstract

The distribution of virus and the composition of the mononuclear inflammatory response were studied in the brains of 7 children who died with Japanese encephalitis. Viral antigen was localized to neurons, with greatest involvement in the thalamus and brainstem. Quantitation of perivascular inflammatory responses showed a preponderance of T cells, but only 7 to 30% of these cells were T suppressor/cytotoxic cells. Inflammatory cells invading the parenchyma were predominantly macrophages with small numbers of T cells. B cells remained localized to perivascular cuffs. Viral antigen was progressively cleared in patients with survival of 6 days or more.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology*
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Brain / immunology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Encephalitis Virus, Japanese / immunology
  • Encephalitis, Japanese / immunology*
  • Encephalitis, Japanese / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Immunoglobulin G / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Immunoglobulin M / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Infant
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Phagocytosis
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M