PATHOGENESIS OF ENCEPHALITIS OCCURRING WITH VACCINATION, VARIOLA AND MEASLES

Abstract

The anatomic changes in encephalitis associated with vaccination, variola and measles are so similar as to suggest a common pathogenetic factor. This is further indicated by the fact that this type of encephalitis occurs in a group of clinical entities all characterized by an exanthema. Spielmeyer¹has pointed out the errors one is led into by drawing conclusions as to pathogenesis from anatomic observations alone. Other biologic sciences should be called on to help in the solution of this problem. I wish, therefore, to refer to some past studies on the immunology of the exanthema and to correlate them with those on the associated encephalitis. Since more is known concerning the local and general tissue reaction to the vaccine virus than of that to the viruses of smallpox and measles, knowledge of the pathogenesis of the vaccine virus will give a clearer insight into that of the encephalitis associated