Encephalitis lethargica-like illness in a girl with mycoplasma infection

Autoimmune Movement Disorders in Children

Over the last decade, there have been significant advances in the identification, characterization, and treatment of autoimmune neurologic disorders in children. Many of these diseases include a typical movement disorder that can be a powerful aid to diagnosis. Frequently, movement disorders in autoimmune conditions are the sole or among a few presenting symptoms, allowing for earlier diagnosis of an underlying malignancy or systemic autoimmune disease. Given that early detection and treatment with immunotherapy may confer improved outcomes, recognizing these patterns of abnormal movements is essential for child neurologists. The purpose of this review is to summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of movement disorders that occur in pediatric autoimmune disorders.

The Focal Encephalopathies Associated with Mycoplasma Pneumoniae

Five patients with evidence of focal encephalopathy are reported. In each case, evidence of mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was detected. No patient improved with conventional antibiotic therapy, but in three subjects, rapid and complete recovery did occur contemporaneously with the administration of high dose steroid therapy. It is suggested that focal as well as diffuse cerebral or cerebellar lesions may occur as manifestations of auto-immune disease complicating mycoplasmal infections in young people and that this illness may be designated as acute mycoplasma-associated encephalopathy.

Transient parkinsonism following mycoplasma pneumoniae infection with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Parkinsonism caused by infection is uncommon in children. We report 2 previously healthy children with acute self-limiting parkinsonism following Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, with normal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our case report expands the phenotype of parkinsonism associated with M. pneumoniae infection. We recommend that children with acute parkinsonism preceded by a period of febrile illness, even with a normal brain MRI, should be investigated for M. pneumoniae infection.

Review: neuropathology of acute phase encephalitis lethargica: a review of cases from the epidemic period

INTRODUCTION

Encephalitis lethargica (EL), an epidemic disease of the early 20th century, has continued to be diagnosed sporadically since that time, including a report of 20 new cases in 2004. Many of the recent case reports state that the primary neuropathology of acute EL consists of inflammatory changes and lesions within the midbrain, basal ganglia and substantia nigra. However, the neuropathology of acute EL cases from the epidemic period was actually much more widespread.

METHODS

In order to characterize the neuropathology of acute phase EL, we developed a database of EL pathology based on 112 cases from the years 1915 to 1940, of which most died within 2 weeks of EL onset.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed that cortical damage was prevalent in 75% of the 112 cases; damage to the meninges and brainstem occurred in approximately half of the cases; and the substantia nigra was damaged in only 13% of these acute cases. We also found that after 1921, damage to cranial nerve nuclei was not reported. An analysis of the neuropathology and clinical symptoms revealed little correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these findings, putative modern cases of acute EL with MRI/CT indicated lesions confined solely to the midbrain, brainstem, and/or basal ganglia should not be considered, consistent with that reported during epidemic period.

Encephalitis lethargica in 5 South African children

The clinical features and cognitive outcome in 5 South African childhood cases of sporadic encephalitis lethargica seen between 2002 and 2006 are discussed. All children presented with an acute encephalopathic illness complicated by sleep disturbance, extrapyramidal and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Diagnosis was based on shared clinical features with other cases described in the literature and exclusion of known infective, biochemical and metabolic causes of acute childhood encephalopathy. The negative findings on neuro-imaging in all cases strongly supported the diagnosis. All children survived but 3 cases became learning disabled and all required cognitive rehabilitation after recovery. The cases demonstrate that encephalitis lethargica does indeed occur among South African children. The condition should be considered in any previously well child that presents with an acute encephalopathic illness with prominent extrapyramidal and neuropsychiatric symptoms and negative infectious, biochemical, autoimmune, metabolic and radiologic investigations. Recognition is important as it allows counseling of parents regarding the protracted course but generally favorable outcome of the condition.

Acute reversible parkinsonism in Epstein-Bbarr virus-related encephalitis lethargica-like illness

A 10-year-old boy presented with fever, headache, vomiting, and hypersomnolence. An akinetic-rigid syndrome with tremor, dysphagia, dysphonia, and sialorrhea, as well as pyramidal signs, developed. Slightly elevated protein content was found in the cerebrospinal fluid and serological investigations were suggestive of a primary Epstein-Barr virus infection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed massive bilateral hyperintense striatal and punctiform periventricular lesions. After 2-month treatment with steroids and antiparkinsonian drugs, all features resolved without sequelae. Control MRI demonstrated only minimal residual lesions in both putamina. Strongly resembling the encephalitis lethargica-like syndrome, this case is an unusual presentation of parainfectious acute disseminated encephalitis.

Infantile bilateral striatal necrosis associated with human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) infection

A 1-year-old female with acute bilateral striatal necrosis secondary to exanthema subitum associated with human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) infection is reported. The patient was previously healthy. She presented with progressive neurologic signs of oral dyskinesia and involuntary movements, after suffering from exanthema subitum. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated abnormal signals in the bilateral striatal regions. In addition, the serum HHV-6 IgM class antibody level was significantly increased. The patient is thought to be the first case of HHV-6 infection related infantile bilateral striatal necrosis (IBSN).

Central nervous system manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is associated with several manifestations from the central nervous system (CNS) such as encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, acute transverse myelitis, stroke, and polyradiculopathy. In the current paper epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory and treatment data on these manifestations are reviewed. The M. pneumoniae induced immune dysregulation and its contributing role in the pathogenesis of neurological insult is discussed. The recent introduction in clinical practice of newer molecular diagnostic techniques has helped in establishing a firmer association between M. pneumoniae infection and CNS disease especially encephalitis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential association between M. pneumoniae infection and several CNS manifestations. The role of various anti-microbial or immunomodulating therapies in treating such manifestations should be further explored.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and central nervous system complications: a review

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Little is known about the extrapulmonary manifestations of this organism. Numerous central nervous system (CNS) manifestations have been described with M. pneumoniae. CNS involvement is probably the most common site of involvement in addition to the respiratory system. Up to 7% of patients hospitalized with M. pneumoniae may have CNS symptoms. Common CNS presentations include encephalitis, aseptic meningitis, polyradiculitis, cerebellar ataxia, and myelitis. The mechanism behind these CNS manifestations remains unclear. Direct invasion, neurotoxin production, or an immune-mediated mechanism has been proposed. Newer diagnostic techniques for the direct detection of the antigen and the microorganism are proving useful for the detection of extrapulmonary disease. This review comprehensively reviews the CNS complications that have been reported with M. pneumoniae.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and Tourette's syndrome

An association between infection and Tourette's syndrome (TS) has been described repeatedly. A role for streptococcal infection (PANDAS) has been established for several years, but the involvement of other infectious agents such as Borrelia Burgdorferi or Mycoplasma pneumoniae has only been described in single case reports. We examined antibody titers against M. pneumoniae and various types of antibodies by immunoblot in patients and in a sex- and age-matched comparison group. Participants comprised 29 TS patients and 29 controls. Antibody titers against M. pneumoniae were determined by microparticle agglutination (MAG) assay and confirmed by immunoblot. Elevated titers were found in significantly more TS patients than controls (17 vs. 1). Additionally, the number of IgA positive patients was significantly higher in the TS group than in the control group (9 vs. 1). A higher proportion of increased serum titers and especially of IgA antibodies suggests a role for M. pneumoniae in a subgroup of patients with TS and supports the finding of case reports implicating an acute or chronic infection with M. pneumoniae as one etiological agent for tics. An autoimmune reaction, however, has to be taken into account. In predisposed persons, infection with various agents including M. pneumoniae should be considered as at least an aggravating factor in TS.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and its role as a human pathogen

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a unique bacterium that does not always receive the attention it merits considering the number of illnesses it causes and the degree of morbidity associated with it in both children and adults. Serious infections requiring hospitalization, while rare, occur in both adults and children and may involve multiple organ systems. The severity of disease appears to be related to the degree to which the host immune response reacts to the infection. Extrapulmonary complications involving all of the major organ systems can occur in association with M. pneumoniae infection as a result of direct invasion and/or autoimmune response. The extrapulmonary manifestations are sometimes of greater severity and clinical importance than the primary respiratory infection. Evidence for this organism's contributory role in chronic lung conditions such as asthma is accumulating. Effective management of M. pneumoniae infections can usually be achieved with macrolides, tetracyclines, or fluoroquinolones. As more is learned about the pathogenesis and immune response elicited by M. pneumoniae, improvement in methods for diagnosis and prevention of disease due to this organism may occur.

Three cases of central nervous system complications associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae

We report three new cases of acute central nervous system disease occurring shortly after Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. The clinical phenotypes were characterized by encephalopathy (n = 2), optic neuritis (n = 1), transverse myelitis (n = 1), and seizures (n = 1). Although there was strong supportive evidence of preceding M. pneumoniae infection, cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction for M. pneumoniae was negative in all three patients. We propose that these cases resulted from a para-infectious immune-mediated process rather than parenchymal invasion by the microorganism. The two patients treated with steroids improved rapidly, and all three patients have made a full recovery. We review the literature regarding M. pneumoniae central nervous system complications and discuss the proposed pathologic mechanisms; para-infectious immune-mediated disease and parenchymal invasion of the central nervous system. Systematic investigation to discriminate between these two processes will be essential to select appropriate antibiotic and immunomodulatory therapies.

Treatment of dystonia in striatal necrosis caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae

We report on an 8-year-old male with bilateral striatal necrosis secondary to Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory infection. This patient has been remarkable for persistent severe dystonia that has been difficult to treat. We share our experience of beneficial responses to multimodal treatment, including moderate doses of trihexyphenidyl, botulinum toxin, and intrathecal baclofen.

Brainstem and striatal encephalitis complicating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia: possible benefit of intravenous immunoglobulin

Encephalitides of the brainstem and the striatum associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection are believed to be mediated by an autoimmune process triggered by the organism, a toxin or direct invasion by the organism itself. Inability to identify M. pneumoniae from cerebrospinal fluid by culture or polymerase chain reaction suggested a possible immunologic process. A trial of intravenous immunoglobulin in a critically ill patient with encephalitis that developed in parallel to M. pneumoniae pneumonia was associated with neurologic improvement within 48 h of treatment.

Transient seizure disappearance due to bilateral striatal necrosis in a patient with intractable epilepsy

An 8-year-old girl had suffered from intractable epilepsy due to cortical dysplasia. She developed mycoplasma pneumonia with massive pleural effusion. Fever continued for 3 weeks. Four weeks after the onset of this infection, she suddenly developed horizontal nystagmus, ataxia, choreoathetotic movements and confusion. CT disclosed swelling and low density of the heads of the caudate nuclei and putamina bilaterally. MRI revealed areas of symmetrical high intensity in the striatum on T2-weighted imaging. These lesions were thought to comprise bilateral striatal necrosis (BSN) mediated by the mycoplasma infection or Wernicke encephalopathy. Six months later, she had completely recovered clinically. During the 6 months after BSN, she did not have any epileptic seizures. Her epileptic seizures reappeared thereafter at a lower frequency. The striatum may be involved in the propagation pathway for epileptic seizure activity in this patient.

Dystonia and chorea in acquired systemic disorders

Dystonia and chorea are uncommon accompaniments, but sometimes the presenting features of certain acquired systemic disorders that presumably alter basal ganglia function. Hypoxia-ischaemia may injure the basal ganglia through hypoperfusion of subcortical vascular watershed regions and by altering striatal neurotransmitter systems. Toxins interfere with striatal mitochondrial function, resulting in cellular hypoxia. Infections may affect the basal ganglia by causing vasculitic ischaemia, through the development of antibodies to basal ganglia epitopes, by direct invasion of the basal ganglia by the organism, or through cytotoxins causing neuronal injury. Autoimmune disorders alter striatal function by causing a vasculopathy, by direct reaction of antibodies with basal ganglia epitopes, or by stimulating the generation of a cytotoxic or inflammatory reaction. Endocrine and electrolyte abnormalities influence neurotransmitter balance or affect ion channel function and signalling in the basal ganglia. In general, the production of chorea involves dysfunction of the indirect pathway from the caudate and putamen to the internal globus pallidus, whereas dystonia is generated by dysfunction of the direct pathway. The time of the onset of the movement disorder relative to the primary disease process, and course vary with the age of the patient and the underlying pathology. Treatment of dystonia or chorea associated with a systemic medical disorder must initially consider the systemic disorder.

Acquired childhood dysarthria: review of its clinical presentation

The adult classification of dysarthria correlating with the pathophysiology of the motor systems is usually applied to classify acquired childhood dysarthria. However, the validity of this adult model for children has not been studied systematically. All studies pertaining to analysis of speech features in acquired childhood dysarthria published since 1980 were reviewed. Studies were classified on the basis of neuroradiologic evidence of lesion site and associated motor disorder. This review demonstrates that knowledge of acquired childhood dysarthria is based on a limited number of single case studies, most of which pertain to dysarthria occurring after resection of cerebellar tumor. Definite similarities to adult dysarthria were not evident. Some similarity to acquired childhood dysarthria due to basal ganglia lesions was detected. We conclude that acquired childhood dysarthria requires its own classification.

Clinical features and management of two cases of encephalitis lethargica

Two patients with presumed encephalitis lethargica are presented with clinical features suggestive of two forms of the disease described by Von Economo: One patient had a psychosis and a mute-akinetic syndrome associated with myoclonus. The second patient presented with a psychosis and fever, developing severe dyskinesias involving the mouth, trunk and limbs, together with respiratory irregularities and presumed hypothalamic disturbance and disturbance of consciousness. In both cases, initial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed an elevated white cell count (predominantly lymphocytes), elevated protein in case 2, and oligoclonal bands in both cases. Computed tomography (CT) brain scan was normal but in both cases EEG revealed diffuse slow wave activity. A 18F-Dopa positron emission tomography (PET) scan in case 2 was normal. The medical management of both patients is discussed. In case 1, L-Dopa improved the akinesia, while the myoclonus responded to clonazepam. In case 2, the severe dyskinesias failed to respond to a number of drugs, and she ultimately required paralysis to relieve her almost continuous movements. Both patients responded rapidly and dramatically to intravenous methylprednisolone. We suggest that steroid treatment should be considered in the acute phase of patients with features suggestive of encephalitis lethargica.

Reversible parkinsonism and dystonia following probable mycoplasma pneumoniae infection

Infectious disease is a rare cause of parkinsonism. We report a 7-year-old boy who developed flu-like symptoms followed by parkinsonian features including hypophonia, hypomimia, bradykinesia, and dystonia. A T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal intensities in both basal ganglia. The results of serial serologic tests of Mycoplasma pneumonia antibody suggest that this movement disorder was associated with Mycoplasma pneumonia infection. The patient's symptoms gradually resolved, and the basal ganglionic lesions disappeared on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging.

Choreoathetotic movement disorder in a boy with Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis

We present a case of a 10-year-old boy who presented to the emergency department with high fever, acute choreoathetosis, weakness, and dysarthria. An EEG showed generalized slowing, and serologies defined an acute case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae encephalitis. This report describes the most common presentations, therapy, and outcomes of M pneumoniae encephalitis.

Clinical spectrum of secondary parkinsonism in childhood: a reversible disorder

Parkinsonism is an uncommon movement disorder in childhood. Six unusual cases of acquired parkinsonism in hospitalized children are described. Clinical manifestations included an akinetic-rigid syndrome with and without tremor, the combination of parkinsonism and dystonia, and a parkinsonism-plus syndrome. Altered mental status, mutism, dysphagia, and sialorrhea were frequent associations. Etiologies included hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; haloperidol treatment with and without neuroleptic malignant syndrome; toxicity of cytosine arabinoside, cyclophosphamide, amphotericin B, and methotrexate; St. Louis encephalitis and other encephalitides; and a pineal tumor with hydrocephalus. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging results ranged from normal to profound cerebral and cerebellar atrophy with chemotherapeutic toxicity. The illnesses usually were severe enough to require pharmacotherapy. Incorrect diagnoses of depression or catatonia delayed treatment or aggravated the problem. Acute treatment included amantadine, levodopa/carbidopa with or without selegiline, diphenhydramine, or benztropine. The concentration of CSF homovanillic acid was normal in a neuroleptic-associated patient, but the level was low in an encephalitic patient. All patients demonstrated dramatic improvement, including two who were not treated; some had complete resolution of symptoms and none required continued antiparkinsonian drugs despite poor scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Modified Hoehn and Yahr Rating Scales. The causes of parkinsonism described are more common in a general pediatric hospital than the parkinsonism associated with the popularized Segawa syndrome.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and neurological disease

The cases are reported of 13 children seen over a 22 month period who presented with a variety of acute neurological illnesses associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Although presentation with a decreased level of consciousness or seizures was common, psychosis, hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsies, and Guillain-Barré syndrome were also seen. In contrast with published reports, only one child had an associated chest infection. Although some children have been left with residual disability, most have made a complete recovery. In this recent experience, M pneumoniae is a not rare cause of neurological illness in childhood and may present in unusual ways.

Encephalitis lethargica-like illness in a five-year-old

A five-year-old boy presented with an encephalitis lethargica-like illness, characterised by somnolence, mutism and Parkinsonian rigidity two weeks after an acute exanthem. Investigation revealed increased serum measles antibody titre. He made a complete recovery. Encephalitis lethargica associated with Parkinsonism in childhood is rare and usually carries a poor prognosis.