Intrathecal synthesis of virus antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients.

A follow-up study on the intrathecal synthesis of viral antibodies in multiple sclerosis patients was made on 28 patients over a period of about 2 years. Serial serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens were assayed for antibodies against measles, rubella, parainfluenza type 2, respiratory syncytial, mumps, influenza A, influenza B, adeno, and herpes simplex viruses by employing a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay technique. All patients had local antibody synthesis against one or more of the antigens studied. Rubella and measles virus antibodies were found with the highest frequency and were synthesized at the highest rate. Simultaneous intrathecal antibody synthesis against the greater number of the viruses studied was associated with higher local immunoglobulin G synthesis. A good overall correspondence in the fluctuations of the different viral antibodies synthesized intrathecally was usually found. Sometimes the changes in intrathecal antibody levels correlated well with the changes in immunoglobulin G index and sometimes not. These fluctuations could not be correlated with the clinical course of the disease. The results of this study suggest that the viral antibodies studied are not relevant to the etiology or the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis.