Abstract

       Objective: Certain cases of Anorexia Nervosa (AN) may be similar to the recently described subtype of childhood-onset Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) hypothesized to be one of the Pediatric Infection-Triggered Auto-immune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PITANDs).   Methods: Three clinical cases are reported.  The 1st patient is a 12-year-old boy whose AN worsened acutely following a group A b-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection. His symptoms were alleviated following antibiotic treatment.  Two other patients with possible PITANDs-related AN are described.  Results:  An infection-triggered process may contribute to the pathogenesis of a subtype of AN.  Conclusions: Future research is needed to explore the nature of PITANDs and their relationship with AN.  Key Words: anorexia nervosa, auto-immunity, eating disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, pediatrics, streptococcal infections.