DETECTION AND COMPARISON OF VIRAL-ANTIGENS IN MEASLES AND RUBELLA RASHES

Measles and rubella skin lesions were immunocytochemically compared by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method for detecting viral antig ens. Cryostat sections of biopsied specimens of the skin were stained with mouse monoclonal antibodies to P protein of measles virus and to El protein of rubella virus. The measles virus antigen was concentrate d in the corneal layer and the keratinocytes of the epidermis and in t he surface part of the dermis in the biopsy secimens taken within 6 da ys after the onset of rash. On the other hand, the rubella virus antig en was dispersed in all parts of the dermis and the subcutaneous layer but not in the epidermis in the biopsy specimens taken within 2 days after the onset of rash. The differences in the distribution and densi ty of the viral antigen and in the times of its detection suggest dist inct patterns of spread of infection with each virus in the skin.