Herpesviruses and parkinsonism. Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, and cytomegalovirus antibodies in serum and CSF.

Antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were assayed with a microindirect hemagglutination (IHA) test in the serum of 67 pairs of patients with Parkinson's disease and controls. Cerebrospinal fluid from 30 pairs was assayed. All patient and control serum was tested with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) for antibodies against HSV type 1 subunit antigens. Serum IHA antibody level against HSV type 1 was increased in patients with Parkinson's disease and RIA antibody levels against the same viral antigen were significantly higher in the patients than controls. Herpes simplex virus type 2 and CMV serum antibodies were equal in the patient and control groups. Most of the CSF samples tested negatively for IHA; small and comparable numbers of the patients and controls had low antibody levels against HSV and CMV antigens.