IMMUNOPEROXIDASE STAINING OF SIMPLE NUCLEAR BODIES IN SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS (SSPE) BY ANTISERUM TO MEASLES NUCLEOCAPSIDS

Nuclear bodies are found with great consistency in brain tissue from patiens with SSPE. There is controversy as to the significance of these structures and their relationship, if any, to the disease. In this study, a non-productive, cell-associated strain of SSPE measles virus grown in tissue culture on [Agrican green monkey kidney] Vero Cells showed the continued presence of nuclear bodies, frequently in close association with the SSPE measles virus nucleocapsids. Immunoperoxidase staining with specific [rabbit] antiserum against measles virus nucleocapsids was done. The resultant positive labeling of the nuclear bodies demonstrates that they contain measles virus antigen and suggests that the nuclear bodies play a role in the development of the measles virus nucleocapsids of SSPE.