OCD and Bacterial Infection: Is there a link.

The data which addresses the validity of the proposed unique subgroup of children with early and abrupt onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorder subsequent to streptococcal infection was reviewed. The aetiology of OCD and tic disorder is unknown, although it appears that both disorders may arise from a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Post-streptococcal autoimmunity has been postulated as one such mechanism. Although much research remains to be done, an increasing body of evidence provides support for the postulate that OCD may arise from post-streptococcal autoimmunity. The unique clinical characteristic of the PANDAS sub group, the presence of volumetric changes in basal ganglia and the dramatic response to immunomodulatory treatment suggest that symptoms arise from a combination of local, regional and systemic dysfunction and further research is required in order to provide novel strategies of prevention and treatment.

PANDAS: uma nova doença? / PANDAS: a new disease?

OBJETIVO: Apresentar as bases diagnósticas e analisar as evidências que têm sido apontadas para a etiopatogenia, tratamento e profilaxia de PANDAS. FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão de literatura científica através do MEDLINE no período de 1989 a 2006. SíNTESE DOS DADOS: Os critérios diagnósticos para PANDAS foram estabelecidos há quase 10 anos, mas ainda há muita controvérsia sobre a real existência desta nova doença pediátrica. A escolha deste nome para uma nova doença, supostamente de origem pós-estreptocócica, baseia-se no acrônimo de P (pediátrico, porque ocorre em crianças), A (auto-imune), N (neuropsiquiátrico), D (doença), A (associada) e S (Streptococcus). Os tiques e os sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos são as principais manifestações clínicas da doença e surgem após infecções estreptocócicas, provavelmente por mecanismos auto-imunes. Apesar de estes sintomas neuropsiquiátricos serem comuns na coréia reumática, também de etiologia pós-estreptocócica, em PANDAS faltam os movimentos clássicos da coréia e as outras manifestações de febre reumática. As possibilidades de terapia antimicrobiana e imunológica estão sendo pesquisadas e demonstram viabilidade de uso em alguns casos. CONCLUSÕES: Pesquisas ainda são necessárias para responder à pergunta-título. Enquanto isso não ocorre, a identificação de casos de tiques e transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo em crianças deve considerar a possibilidade de PANDAS, buscando a evidência de infecção estreptocócica precedendo os episódios.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic criteria for PANDAS and to analyze the existing evidence regarding its etiopathogenesis, treatment and prophylaxis. SOURCES: Review of the scientific literature through a MEDLINE search carried out between 1989 and 2006. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: The diagnostic criteria for PANDAS were established nearly 10 years ago, but a lot of controversy still exists over the actual existence of this new pediatric disease. The name of this new disease, supposedly of poststreptococcal etiology, derives from an acronym that stands for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disease associated with streptococcal infection. Tics and obsessive-compulsive symptoms are the major clinical signs of the disease, which develop after streptococcal infections, probably through autoimmune mechanisms. Even though these neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in rheumatic chorea, whose etiology is also poststreptococcal, the classic choreiform movements and other symptoms of rheumatic fevers are absent in PANDAS. The use of antimicrobial and immunologic therapy has been investigated and considered feasible in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is still necessary in order to answer the question posed in the title of this article. In the meantime, the identification of tic disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders in children should include the possibility of PANDAS, seeking to provide evidence of previous streptococcal infection.