Autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection: Sydenham chorea, PANDAS, and PANDAS variants

J Child Neurol. 2006 Sep;21(9):727-36. doi: 10.1177/08830738060210091401.

Abstract

Streptococcal infection in children is usually benign and self-limited. In a small percentage of children, prominent neurologic and/or psychiatric sequelae can occur. Sydenham chorea is the best defined and best recognized. PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection) is a well-defined syndrome in which tics (motor and/or vocal) and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder consistently exacerbate in temporal correlation to a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. PANDAS constitutes a subset of children with tics, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In addition to strictly defined PANDAS, we and others have recognized several PANDAS variants, including adult-onset variant, a dystonic variant, a myoclonic variant, and a "chronic" PANDAS variant. The nosology and classification of these entities are rapidly evolving. The recognition that some pediatric neurobehavioral syndromes have infectious and/or immunologic triggers points to important new avenues of disease treatment. In this review, we summarize this complex and rapidly evolving area of clinical research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / classification
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / diagnosis*
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / microbiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chorea / diagnosis*
  • Chorea / immunology
  • Chorea / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / immunology
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / microbiology
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Streptococcal Infections / immunology
  • Streptococcus pyogenes*
  • Syndrome
  • Tic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Tic Disorders / immunology
  • Tic Disorders / microbiology

Substances

  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • streptococcal polysaccharide group A