Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Kir2.3

Title: Antineuronal antibodies and infectious pathogens in severe acute pediatric encephalitis.

Authors: Jainn-Jim Lin, Kuang-Lin Lin, Cheng-Hsun Chiu, Shao-Hsuan Hsia, Huei-Shyong Wang, I-Jun Chou, Yun-Tong Lin,

Journal, date & volume: J. Child Neurol., 2014 Jan , 29, 11-6

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23143714

Abstract
The pathogenesis of acute encephalitis is divided into either direct infection or by immune-mediated inflammation, but the cause is still unknown. This retrospective study aimed to screen antineuronal antibodies in children with severe acute encephalitis. Thirty-four children (22 boys and 12 girls) underwent assessments such as antineuronal antibodies survey for autoimmune encephalitis and polymerase chain reaction/viral culture and antibody assays for all commonly recognized causes of infectious encephalitis. Sixteen (47.1%) were positive for autoantibodies, including antiglutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in 16 and voltage-gated potassium channel complex antibodies in 1. Sixteen patients (47.1%) had presumed infectious etiologies, including 6 with influenza, 6 with Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 3 with enterovirus, and 1 with herpes simplex virus. In this study, influenza and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are the main presumed causes of severe acute encephalitis in children, although an immune-mediated mechanism may also play a role.