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Review
. 2021 Jan;21(1):94.
doi: 10.3892/etm.2020.9526. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (Review)

Dalia Dop  1 , Iulia Rahela Marcu  2 , Rodica Padureanu  3 , Carmen Elena Niculescu  1 , Vlad Padureanu  4
Affiliations
Review

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (Review)

Dalia Dop et al. Exp Ther Med. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are clinically characterized by the sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive manifestations, motor and verbal tics, as well as other behavioral symptoms in a group of children with B-hemolytic streptococcal infection. PANDAS are considered autoimmune diseases because the streptococcal infection and response can be demonstrated. The most frequent physiopathological mechanism is molecular mimicry: A foreign antigen shares sequence or structural similarities with self-antigens. A thorough review of the literature was carried out using the PubMed database and SCOPUS, searching for immunological, clinical and microbiological aspects, as well as the treatment of the PANDAS syndrome. The diagnosis is clinical and it requires a careful medical history and a thorough physical examination, while the treatment is complex. Untreated or unrecognized manifestations of PANDAS can increase the risk of obsessive-compulsive manifestations and tics during adulthood. Taking this into consideration, further studies are required to establish the best method of therapy.

Keywords: PANDAS; autoantibodies; autoimmune; neuropsychiatric disorders; pediatric; streptococcal infection.

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