INCREASED LEVELS OF INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA AND SOLUBLE INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH SUBACUTE SCLEROSING PANENCEPHALITIS

Proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1 beta, tumor necrosis fac tor [TNF]-alpha, and IL-6) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule -1 (sICAM-1) were measured in paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and ser um samples from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSP E), multiple sclerosis (MS), or other neurologic diseases (OND) by ELI SA. IL-1 beta was significantly increased in CSF of the SSPE group com pared with levels in the MS or OND group, IL-1 beta CSF/serum ratios w ere higher in the SSPE than in the MS or OND group. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were similar in the 3 groups. CSF sICAM-1 was higher in the SS PE group than in the MS or OND group. sICAM-1 CSF/serum ratios were hi gher in the SSPE than the OND group. The increased CSF/serum ratios of IL-1 beta and sICAM-1 in SSPE indicate synthesis of IL-1 beta and sIC AM-1 in the central nervous system and may be important in the pathoge nesis of disease.