Sokol, M.S. & Gray, N.S. Case study: an infection-triggered,
autoimmune
subtype of Anorexia Nervosa. Journal of the American Academy
of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry, 36 (8): 1128-1133, 1997.
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.