[Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)]

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is one of the most important slow virus infection caused by measles virus in human. It have passed over 20 years since measles virus was found in the brain of SSPE patients. However, definite etiological mechanism is still unknown. In Japan, number of SSPE patients are gradually decreasing, but over 5 patients are reported every year. Recently, the age of onset of SSPE became higher, incubation period from measles to SSPE onset became to be more prolonged, and serum measles antibody titers became lower than before. From typical clinical findings, serum and CSF measles antibody titers and periodic complex high voltage slow waves with suppression burst, SSPE is suggested. It is not so difficult to make diagnosis. As the differential diagnosis, epilepsy, brain tumor, metabolic diseases, or psychological disorders are mentioned. Treatment for SSPE is still undetermined. At present, it is thought that combined treatment of oral inosinpranobex (isoprinosine) and intratechal or intraventricular interferon (IFN) administration is the most effective.