Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
A Simple Cell-based Immunofluorescence Assay to Detect Autoantibody Against the N-Methyl-D-Aspartate NMDA Receptor in Blood
Published on: January 9, 2018
Pediatric anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis associated with COVID-19
Esra Sarigecili1, Ilknur Arslan2, Habibe Koc Ucar3
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey. sarigeciliesra@gmail.com.
Insights
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis can occur with COVID-19. A pediatric case showed neurological symptoms improved with plasmapheresis and steroids, highlighting treatment considerations for this rare association.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis presents with diverse neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
- Association between NMDAR encephalitis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is increasingly recognized.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old boy with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection developed autoimmune encephalitis.
- The patient presented with acute ataxia and rapidly progressing encephalopathy, without fever or pulmonary involvement.
- Initial treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin was ineffective.
Findings:
- Plasmapheresis was administered, followed by pulse steroid therapy upon improvement of lymphopenia.
- The patient showed significant clinical improvement and was discharged ambulatory.
- This case highlights a potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and NMDAR antibody encephalitis.
Implications:
- Autoimmune encephalitis should be considered in patients with neurological symptoms during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Steroid therapy is a preferred treatment for NMDAR encephalitis, with careful consideration of contraindications like lymphopenia.
- Understanding this association may improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological complications of COVID-19.
Abstract:
Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is a clinical condition characterized by acute behavioral and mood changes, abnormal movements, autonomic instability, seizures, and encephalopathy. We describe a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis due to NMDAR antibody in association with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (coronavirus disease 2019) (COVID-19), without pulmonary involvement or fever. The patient presented with acute ataxia, rapidly developed encephalopathy, and autoimmune encephalitis was suspected. Steroid treatment was withheld because of lymphopenia and intravenous immunoglobulin was started. The absence of clinical response prompted plasmapheresis and, when lymphocyte counts improved, pulse steroid treatment was applied. The latter was followed by significant improvement and the patient was discharged in a conscious and ambulatory state. Autoimmune encephalitis should be considered in the presence of neurological symptoms accompanying SARS-CoV-2 infection and steroid treatment should be preferred unless limited by contraindications.
More Related Videos
10:19High-throughput Flow Cytometry Cell-based Assay to Detect Antibodies to N-Methyl-D-aspartate Receptor or Dopamine-2 Receptor in Human Serum
Published on: November 23, 2013
08:20Hippocampal Neuronal Cultures to Detect and Study New Pathogenic Antibodies Involved in Autoimmune Encephalitis
Published on: June 2, 2022
