Endogenous myelin basic protein-serum factors (MBP-SFS) and anti-MBP antibodies in a patient with post-herpes simplex virus acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.

The measurement of myelin basic protein serum factors (MBP-SFs) and anti-MBP antibodies in specimens from a patient with post-herpes simplex acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADE) is described. Transitory appearance of high affinity anti-MBP antibodies in the absence of detectable MBP-SFs was observed. This pattern was similar to that found previously in acute multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a possible normal role of MBP-SFs is as neuroautotolerogens, preventing autoreactive lymphocyte clones from damaging myelin.