Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis aggravated during the intraventricular interferon administration therapy.

Human lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha was given by intraventricular administration via an Ommaya reservoir to a woman who entered Jabbour stage III at the age of 25 years. The first dose was of 150,000 IU, and daily doses were gradually increased; the total dose over a 42-day period was 33,550,000 IU. The patient's neurological disability index score before this treatment was 56.3%, and 75% after interferon treatment ended. After other treatment for 6 months, the patient died. Results of the autopsy showed perivascular lymphocyte infiltration in the cerebrum and brain stem, with diffuse gliosis and demyelination. The virus was isolated from the frontal lobes, also. The interferon treatment may have been a factor in this patient's deterioration.