Indication of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability in adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE)

Abstract

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a rare chronic, progressive encephalitis that affects primarily children and young adults, caused by a persistent infection of immune-resistant measles virus. Diagnostic hallmarks include widespread cortical dysfunction on EEG, myoclonus, white matter abnormalities on neuroradiological examination and the presence of IgG anti-measles antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. We present the first case of SSPE with signs of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, observed as extra discharges following the compound motor action potential at motor nerve stimulation. In addition we demonstrate the importance of SSPE in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with psychiatric and neurological symptoms.

Two patterns of recruitment in an epidemic model with difference in immunity of individuals

“…One of the unrealistic assumptions in these works, is that all the infected individuals except those who die acquire immunity. Real evidence [23,24] from measles encephalitis in adults shows that there is difference in the immunity of infected individuals. That is, some infected individuals can acquire immunity after recovery, but some do not acquire immunity and can be infected once more.…”

Successive Vaccination and Difference in Immunity of a Delay SIR Model with a General Incidence Rate

“…However, in these SIR models, an unrealistic assumption is that all the rest of infected individuals acquire immunity besides death. Measles encephalitis in adults in [21,22] shows that there is difference in immunity of infected individuals. That is, some infected individuals can acquire immunity after recovery, but some do not acquire immunity and can be infected once more.…”