Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis in The Netherlands--1976-1990

Since 1976, when general immunization against measles was introduced in the Netherlands, all new cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) were registered and detailed data about immunization, epidemiology and disease progression were collected on them. Up to 1991, 99 new patients have been registered of which 81 were born in this country and 18 elsewhere. From 1981 onwards, the incidence of SSPE among those born in the Netherlands decreased gradually from 13 cases per year to one case per year. This decrease is attributed to the large scale of immunization against measles. Three SSPE patients had been immunized against measles, all of them without a history of clinical measles. Epidemiology and risk factors of SSPE did not differ from those reported in other countries. An exceptional cluster of four patients in one town, who had measles in the same year, is reported. Progression of SSPE appeared to be age related. A total of 28 patients was treated with Inosiplex; no significant effect on survival in stage 3 of the disease was found.