Role of CSF serology in follow-up of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis patients on treatment.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with poor prognosis and high mortality. No effective treatment has a proven role; oral isoprinosine and intrathecal administration of alpha-interferon may prolong survival. We report an unusual case of adult onset SSPE patient on treatment with significant clinical improvement, even in the absence of conversion to seronegativity in either CSF or serum, on follow-up serological examination.

Changing trend of SSPE over a period of ten years.

Sub acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a slowly progressive inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. A decline in frequency has been noticed in most of the developed countries, whereas it continues to be high in developing countries. Though a number of studies have been carried out, the exact trend of SSPE is still not clear. Hence the present study was carried out to analyze the trend of SSPE over the past ten years in and around Chandigarh. A total of 205 patients with clinical features suggestive of SSPE were enrolled for the study during Jan'92 to Dec. 2001. Measles specific antibodies were detected in blood and CSF by HAI method. 114 patients were found to be positive for measles specific HAI antibody with a male preponderance. The number of SSPE cases were found to be more during the period 1992-95 in comparison to the next 6 years (p < 0.05). The high incidence of SSPE in our country could be due to improper vaccine coverage, poor cold chain maintenance or circulation of atypical measles virus strain.