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Acute cerebellitis following hemolytic streptococcal infection
Hiromasa Uchizono1, Tadashi Iwasa, Hidemi Toyoda
1Department of Pediatrics, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu City, Japan.
Pediatric Neurology
|August 13, 2013
Summary
Acute cerebellitis, a rare childhood inflammatory syndrome, can be triggered by group A streptococcal infections. This case highlights a potential post-infectious autoimmune reaction affecting the cerebellum.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Acute cerebellitis is a rare inflammatory condition in children.
- It can stem from infectious or autoimmune causes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of acute cerebellitis following group A streptococcal infection.
- To highlight a potential post-infectious autoimmune mechanism.
Main Methods:
- Case description of a 7-year-old girl.
- Cerebellar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis for autoantibodies.
Main Results:
- MRI revealed diffuse cerebellar swelling, edema, and hydrocephalus.
- Autoantibodies against glutamate receptor δ2 were detected in CSF.
- This suggests an autoimmune response post-infection.
Conclusions:
- Group A streptococcal infection can lead to acute cerebellitis.
- This case expands the known infectious triggers for cerebellitis.
- Post-infectious autoimmune mechanisms are implicated.
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