[New aspects in the diagnosis of herpes simplex virus encephalitis--case reports and virologic findings].

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common causes of severe necrotizing encephalitis in men. Without adequate acyclovir treatment it has a mortality rate of 70%. An early, reliable virological diagnosis is therefore essential.

Intrathecal synthesis of virus-specific oligoclonal antibodies in patients with enterovirus infection of the central nervous system.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum samples from six patients with enterovirus infections were investigated by isoelectric focusing (IEF) and affinity-mediated immunoblot AMI) for the clonal distribution of entervirus-specific antibodies. In two patients with either acute meningitis or encephalitis and in one patient with a relapse of multiple sclerosis, oligoclonal IgG bands specific for enteroviruses were found predominantly in the CSF, revealing intrathecal synthesis of these antibodies. In three other patients with neurological symptoms probably unrelated to a current enterovirus infection, IEF and AMI disclosed nearly identical patterns of coxsackievirus-B-specific oligoclonal bands in the CSF and serum, indicating diffusion of these antibodies from the serum into the CSF.

Autonomic dysfunction in polyneuropathies: a report on 106 cases.

Autonomic dysfunction is a common feature in various forms of polyradiculoneuropathy. This study investigated the kinds and frequency of of autonomic dysfunction in 106 cases. Denervation insufficiency of organs associated with supersensitivity of reflex mechanisms was found to be the best explanation of the pathophysiology.