title: Combined interferon-alpha and inosiplex treatment of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: a case report.
abstract: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is rare in Taiwan. On admission to hospital, a 15-year-old boy was diagnosed with SSPE based on the clinical picture, electroencephalogram, cerebrospinal fluid studies, and brain biopsy. The initial clinical picture was a decline in school performance and a change in personality, followed by progressive tic-like involuntary movements and mental impairment for 8 months, then a rapidly progressive course. After the patient was treated with oral inosiplex and intraventricular interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), his condition stabilized and the neurologic disability index score improved slightly. There were no major side effects during treatment except for a transient initial elevation of body temperature that lasted for several days. Oral inosiplex and intraventricular IFN-alpha appear to be safe and effective. Early identification and aggressive treatment of SSPE is important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chy-Yuan
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hsiu-Fen
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Pang-Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Ching-Kuan
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chiang-Shin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007542:Inosine Pranobex / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D013344:Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007542:Inosine Pranobex