Case Report: Treatment of delayed tremor episodes in a patient with DPPX antibody encephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitis is a neurological disease caused by abnormal autoimmune mechanisms, characterized by a range of symptoms such as psychiatric and behavioral abnormalities, cognitive impairment, memory decline, and seizures. It is primarily identified by the presence of autoantibodies against neuronal surface antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid. This disease is relatively rare in clinical settings, and its diagnosis remains challenging, with fewer than a hundred cases reported to date. Particularly, cases of Anti-DPPX encephalitis presenting with delayed myoclonus and blurred vision are extremely rare. This case report emphasizes the complexity of the diagnosis and the effective treatment of Anti-DPPX encephalitis with delayed myoclonus.

The patient experienced intermittent fever accompanied by severe headaches for one month, with headaches worsening in an upright position, followed by two hours of vomiting, with stomach contents being expelled. Upon admission, the preliminary diagnosis included suspected central nervous system infection and suspected autoimmune encephalitis. Despite receiving anti-infective and antiviral treatments, as well as acid suppressant and gastric protection therapies, the patient's condition continued to deteriorate. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no apparent abnormalities. Further cerebrospinal fluid and serum tests revealed the presence of anti-DPPX antibodies, confirming the diagnosis of Anti-DPPX encephalitis. The patient underwent a comprehensive treatment regimen, including high-dose steroid pulse therapy, intravenous immunoglobulin, antiviral and anti-infective therapy, as well as acid suppressant and gastric protection treatments. Significant symptom improvement was observed, and by the 8th day of hospitalization, the condition had stabilized. In the 8th month of follow-up, the patient suddenly developed persistent tremor in both hands, without obvious cause. without a recurrence of fever or consciousness disturbances. Steroid therapy was restarted in combination with eculizumab, which was later switched to ofatumumab treatment. The patient's symptoms improved compared to before, and re-examination showed DPPX antibody titers had turned negative. Two months post-discharge, follow-up continued, and the patient's family reported that the tremors persisted, affecting daily life and studies.

The current patient is the first reported case of Anti-DPPX encephalitis presenting with delayed tremor accompanied by blurred vision. The patient's condition was quite fluctuating, which led us to discuss the diversity of symptoms as related to extrapyramidal and occipital lobe damage caused by immune-mediated inflammation. Symptom improvement was achieved through a combination of IVMP, eculizumab, and ofatumumab treatments. The prodromal symptoms of Anti-DPPX encephalitis are easily misdiagnosed as infectious diseases due to the heterogeneity of its clinical manifestations. Early identification of the antibody and initiation of immunotherapy can improve the prognosis.