Science, Vol 195, Issue 4273, 64-66
Copyright © 1977 by American Association for the Advancement of Science
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: experimental infection in primates
P Albrecht,
T Burnstein,
MJ Klutch,
HT Hicks,
and
FA Ennis
Measles virus isolated from the brain of a 12-year-old boy with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis caused a chronic, progressive encephalitis in experimentally infected rhesus monkeys. The infection was eventually fatal in spite of pre-existing measles immunity and a vigorous secondary antibody response in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the infected animals. The findings provide a basis for studies into the pathogenesis and possible treatment of the human disease.