ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A DEFECTIVE MEASLES-VIRUS FROM A SUB-ACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS PATIENT

A cytopathic measles virus was isolated from a brain biopsy of a subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) patient. The agent could be transferred to Vero cells by cocultivation, but the infectivity always remained cell‐associated — ie, a defective virus infection. The cell‐associated nature of the virus was retained through 25 passages in Vero cells. Intracerebral inoculation of hamsters (2—6 days old) with the cocultured Vero cells gave rise to 100% mortality in 5—7 days. The virus retained its cell‐associated nature after passage in hamsters. Electron microscopy of the brain and Vero cocultures showed the presence of virus‐like ribonucleoparticles mainly in the nucleus. The presence of viral antigens in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and on the plasma membranes was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Using a combination of immunological and biochemical technqiues, it was shown that all the viral proteins were synthesized with the exception of the haemagglutinin. Inclusion of the fusion inhibitor SV4814 (CBZ‐D phenylalanine‐L‐phenylalanine‐L‐arginine‐NO2) in the culture medium led to the elimination of the SSPE infection. Copyright © 1979 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company