Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) is a slow virus infection caused by the mutant measles virus. Most patients with SSPE have a history of primary measles disease in early childhood below two years. SSPE is a rare and now prevalent only in the Indian subcontinent. An annual incidence of 21 per million populations in India reported in the literature. The disease has orphan status with no substantial advancement in diagnostic or therapeutic modalities. No adequate therapy is currently available for the treatment of SSPE. As a result, the patients suffering from SSPE survive only for 1- 3 years after diagnosis, with a mean survival of about 18 months.

Observations of some non- randomized trials suggest that specific antiviral drugs and immune-modulator agents can prolong life. A combination of intra-ventricular interferon alfa plus oral Isoprinosine / Ribavirin is the best effective treatment available. It is observed that development of C treatment modalities for SSPE and Hepatitis-C. Is similar before development of newer antiviral agents for cure of Hepatitis-C.

 Comparison between SSPE and Hepatitis- C is given in table below

Ribavirin is an antiviral medication used to treat respiratory syncytial virus infection, hepatitis C and some viral hemorrhagic fevers.  Sofosbuvir recommended treating Hepatitis C in combination with Ribavirin, interferon- alfa, and newer antiviral agent. Common side effects of Sofosbuvir include feeling tired, headache, nausea, and trouble sleeping. Side effects are more common in interferon-containing regimens.

Aim:

1. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of combo treatment of Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin on SSPE patients.

2. To note the impact of combo therapy on the survival of SSPE patients.

Objectives:

 To assess the outcome of SSPE after 3- 6 months of combined treatment with Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin.

 Methodology:

 The study is a non- placebo purely observational and repositioning trial with Ribavirin with Sofosbuvir in the treatment of SSPE. All patients will be treated with standard care with anti-epileptic drugs, amantadine, and oral doses of Ribavirin. Also, they will receive Sofosbuvir according to body weight (150- 200 mg/day) for three months. One minute home video recording of every patient will be analyzed for frequency of myoclonic jerks and overall improvement every three months after induction to treatment, and survival will be recorded at 18 months of all enrolled patients in the study.