Improvement of SSPE by intrathecal infusion of α-IFN

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a progressive encephalopathy with fatal outcome affecting children and young adults and is caused by the persistent infection of an altered form of the measles virus. Beneficial therapy for SSPE has not yet been developed, but immunomodulators such as α- and β-interferon (IFN) or isoprinosine are promising. The intraventricular administration of α-IFN in combination with oral isoprinosine is currently the most effective treatment, resulting in the stabilization and improvement of the neurologic disability in 30% of patients treated.1–3⇓⇓ In all these cases, α-IFN was delivered through a catheter inserted into the lateral ventricle and connected to an Ommaya reservoir placed under the scalp. Infection is the most common complication of the Ommaya reservoir, and meningitis and meningoencephalitis were reported in 2 to 23% of …