The Virological State in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a slow virus disease of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with a measles virus infection. This disease has always been linked to a viral agent after Dawson described in 1933 intracellular inclusion bodies in SSPE brain tissue. However, only during the last decade could the etiologic agent be identified (l, 2). Despite this major discovery the pathogenesis of SSPE is still not understood (3). Many features of this CNS affection are not compatible with an ubiquitous measles virus infection. If measles virus is involved then host or virus derived factors must play an additional role to account for the rural prevalence, rarity and the clinical course of SSPE. Moreover, explanations have to be given for the mechanisms by which measles virus can persist in the CNS and is activated years after onset of acute measles. Many studies have been carried out recently to analyze humoral and cell mediated immune reactions in SSPE and to characterize the virus agents isolated from SSPE brain (referred to as SSPE virus) in comparison to standard measles viruses. This communication gives an account of the virological state in SSPE.