Patterns of immunoglobulin synthesis in paediatric patients with Coxsackie A(9) meningoencephalitis during the neuropathy epidemic in Cuba

Abstract

Introduction, Simultaneously with the origin and development of the Cuban epidemic neuropathy, cases of viral meningoencephalitis with particular. characteristics due to Coxsackie were found, This virus and Inoue-Melnick virus were found too inpatients suffering from Cuban epidemic neuropathy. Patients and methods, 31 pediatric patients suffering from viral meningoencephalitis were studied. Albumin, IgA, IgM and IgG were quantified in serum and cerebrospinal fluid by nephelometry. Cytochemical studies and reibergrams were performed. Results. There was a lymphocyte predominance in cerebrospinal fluid. A dysfunction of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier was shown in 10 patients. Twenty patients have no immunoglobulins intrathecal synthesis. The synthesis patterns were:five patients with local IgM synthesis, two patients with local Ige synthesis and IgA+IgM. IgA+IgC and IgA+IgM pattern was synthesized in one patient respectively. Two patients with low IgG synthesis percentage or IgG intrathecal fractions were reported. Conclusions. The absence of immunoglobulins intrathecal synthesis and the immunoglobulins synthesis patterns differ from other pediatric patients with enterovirus meningoencephalitis. These patterns may have relationship with modified antigenic characteristics of the virus, also found in Cuban epidemic neuropathy.