subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a rare progressive neurological disorder occurring with primary measles infection in children 2 years of age or younger, with a period of latency for 2 to 10 years. The condition occurs in children and in adolescents who have had measles at a very early age. It is characterized by diffuse inflammation of brain tissue, personality change, seizures, ataxia myoclonus, visual disturbances, dementia, fever, and death. Live measles virus can be cultured from brain tissue. No effective therapy is known; however, some antiviral drugs can slow the progression of the disease. A combination of oral Isoprinosine and interferon alfa injected into ventricles of the brain appears to be the most effective treatment. See also slow virus.
