Research Article
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: detection of measles virus RNA in appendix lymphoid tissue before clinical signs.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986; 293 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.293.6546.523 (Published 30 August 1986) Cite this as: Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986;293:523- J G Fournier,
- P Lebon,
- M Bouteille,
- F Goutieres,
- S Rozenblatt
Abstract
An appendix removed 15 days before onset of symptoms of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis was examined retrospectively for measles virus ribonucleic acid (RNA). Tissue sections hybridised in situ to a cloned measles virus probe of deoxyribonucleic acid specific for nucleocapsid protein showed that many cells of the lymphoid tissue contained measles virus RNA. In contrast, only a few infected lymphoid cells were detected in three out of six seropositive controls and none in three seronegative infants. A widespread chronic viral infection of the immune system, established after measles, may promote or even initiate nerve cell infection in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis.