Meningoencephalitis associated with passive immunization of a transgenic murine model of Alzheimer's amyloidosis

Immunization against the A beta peptide reverses the pathologic and behavioral manifestations of Alzheimer's disease in murine models. Since active immunization is associated with an autoimmune meningoencephalitis in a subset of humans, passive transfer of anti-A beta immunoglobulin is being pursued as a potentially safer alternative. We have identified cases of meningoencephalitis subsequent to peripheral and intracerebral passive immunization of Tg2576 mice. The vasocentric mononuclear infiltrate localized only to brain regions affected by A beta amyloid deposits suggesting that the inflammatory reaction was A beta specific. This report indicates that current passive immunization in humans should proceed with careful regard for autoimmune complications. (c) 2005 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.