SSPE: epidemiological and serological features in a series of cases recorded between 1975 and 1984.

A number of 632 new cases of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) could be detected during a 10-year survey. The continuous increase in the number of annual cases suggests a possible correlation with the changes induced in measles epidemiology by the initiation of compulsory vaccination. On the other hand, a comparison of epidemiological and serological characteristics revealed significant differences between the series of SSPE cases recorded in the period preceding and in that following measles vaccination.