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

Piero Pavone1, Enrico Parano, Renata Rizzo

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy. ppavone@mbox.unict.it

Journal of Child Neurology
|September 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) can cause significant neurologic and psychiatric issues in children. Research is evolving on PANDAS and its variants, highlighting infectious triggers for neurobehavioral syndromes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Immunology
  • Neuropsychiatry

Background:

  • Streptococcal infections in children are typically mild but can lead to neurological and psychiatric complications.
  • Sydenham chorea is a known sequela, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS) is a recognized syndrome.
  • PANDAS involves exacerbation of tics and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder following streptococcal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex and evolving field of PANDAS and related neurobehavioral syndromes.
  • To discuss the diagnostic criteria and variants of PANDAS.
  • To highlight the role of infectious and immunologic triggers in pediatric neurobehavioral disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical research on PANDAS and streptococcal-related neurobehavioral disorders.
  • Synthesis of current understanding regarding PANDAS nosology and classification.
  • Identification of recognized PANDAS variants, including adult-onset, dystonic, myoclonic, and chronic forms.

Main Results:

  • PANDAS is a subset of pediatric disorders including tics, Tourette syndrome, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
  • Several PANDAS variants have been identified, expanding the clinical spectrum.
  • The classification and understanding of these conditions are rapidly advancing.

Conclusions:

  • Recognition of infectious and immunologic triggers offers new treatment pathways for pediatric neurobehavioral syndromes.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand and classify PANDAS and its variants.
  • This review summarizes the current state of knowledge in this dynamic research area.

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