Changes of γ globulins in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Qualitative and quantitative changes (level, fractionation, appearance of slow migrating fractions) of serum and CSF γ globulin from 30 patients with SSPE were examined. The relationship between the γ globulin changes and the type of the clinical state as well as the severity of the symptoms and the duration of the disease were analysed. The changes of the CSF and serum γ globulin were found to be influenced by the momentary clinical state, whether progressive or stationary. The laboratory findings facilitate the discrimination of the clinical states. A low level of CSF γ globulin (less than 20%) as well as the absence of the slow migrating subfractions suggest that the condition is not progressive, whereas Q values (CSF/serum γ globulin) higher than 2.0 and the presence of slow migrating γ globulin subfractions suggest that the condition is not static.