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Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with Streptococcus in identical siblings

Adam B Lewin1, Eric A Storch, Tanya K Murphy

  • 1Rothman Center for Neuropsychiatry, Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida College of Medicine, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA. alewin@health.usf.edu

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
|April 14, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) can present differently even in genetically identical siblings. Environmental factors likely play a role in the varied presentation of PANDAS.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS) are characterized by acute-onset obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders following Group A Streptococcus infections.
  • The familial associations and genetic underpinnings of PANDAS remain understudied.

Observation:

  • This report details three sibling sets (including twins and triplets) with genetically identical individuals, some presenting with PANDAS and others asymptomatic.
  • Phenotypic descriptions highlight significant variations in PANDAS presentation among genetically identical siblings.

Findings:

  • Genetically identical siblings exhibited discordant PANDAS presentations, ranging from full symptom manifestation to being asymptomatic.
  • This suggests a substantial role for environmental influences in the development and severity of PANDAS.

Implications:

  • Environmental factors, such as post-infectious molecular mimicry and epigenetic modifications, are critical areas for further research in PANDAS.
  • Understanding these influences is key to developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders.

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