Use of interferon in the management of patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

Six patients (five male, one female) with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis were treated with purified lymphoblastoid interferon, using a combination of intravenous and lumbar intrathecal routes. The first symptoms of the disorder occurred between seven and 16 years of age, and the length of the illness before treatment varied from 1 1/2 to 12 months. All six patients were in the first clinical stage of the disorder. After a limited period of follow-up there has been no clinical improvement. Nil or low levels of interferon were found in CSF two hours after intravenous injection, but CSF levels of interferon were maintained for at least 24 hours after intrathecal injections. Side-effects of interferon included pyrexial reactions, especially after high-dose intravenous therapy (six), lethargy (four), a transient rise in blood pressure (two) and a reduction in platelet count (six). Staphylococcus epidermidis was grown from the CSF of one patient.