immunological aspects of acute CNS complications of the exanthematous viral diseases

ABSTRACT

A total of 21 patients with post-measles and 26 patients with post-varicella CNS complications was studied. In both groups, males were predominant than females. The CNS manifestations included a disturbed level of consciousness, coma, seizures, motor deficits, ataxia and myoclonus. The sequelae were more frequent in post-measles cases and ranged from behavioral abnormalities to motor deficits. CSF examination showed that most of the cases demonstrated increase in the protein content [45-1OO mg] and pleocytosis. Myelin protein was detected in 8 samples and 6 samples of post-measles and varicella CSF out of 12 samples tested in each group, respectively. Specific virus IgG antibody was detected significantly in 8 paired CSF samples of post-varicella group and only one sample of post-measles out of 12 paired samples tested in each group. CT scan examination revealed that the most common finding was the brain edema [13 in measles and 21 in varicella group]