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Prevalence of SSPE: a serological study
1Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
Insights
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) was diagnosed in 40% of children with suspected measles virus infection. Measles antibodies were detected in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of affected children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare, progressive neurological complication of measles virus infection.
- Early diagnosis of SSPE is crucial for management, though often challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and levels of measles antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children clinically suspected of SSPE.
- To establish serological evidence for SSPE diagnosis in a pediatric cohort.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 340 serum and CSF samples from children with suspected SSPE.
- Serological testing for measles antibodies in both serum and CSF.
Main Results:
- SSPE was confirmed in 138 (40%) of the children based on serological findings.
- The mean age of affected children was 8.2 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 5:1.
- Measles antibody titers ranged from 1:2 to 1:32 in CSF and 1:16 to 1:512 in serum.
Conclusions:
- Serological detection of measles antibodies in serum and CSF is a reliable diagnostic marker for SSPE in children.
- The findings highlight the utility of antibody profiling in confirming SSPE in clinically suspected cases.
Abstract:
The presence of measles antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 340 samples from children clinically suspected of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were studied. One hundred and thirty eight (40%) of these children had SSPE based on the serological evidence. The mean age group of children affected was 8.2 years. The M:F ratio was 5:1. The titres of antibodies ranged from 1:2 to 1:32 in the CSF and from 1:16 to 1:512 in the serum.