Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus Immunology: A Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo elucidate specific cytokine and chemokine markers in patients diagnosed with pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus (PANDAS).Study DesignProspective cohort study.Study settingAcademic university hospital.MethodsTonsil tissue was collected from 24 patients and organized into 3 groups: experimental PANDAS cohort (12 patients), group A beta hemolytic streptococcus control cohort (6 patients), and obstructive sleep apnea control cohort (6 patients). Each tissue sample was extracted with MSD Tris lysis buffer, and protein lysates were analyzed for human chemokines and cytokines by the Human Cytokine 30-Plex Assay on the Mesoscale System.ResultsWe identified a significant difference in expression regarding the 8 following cytokines when comparing the experimental PANDAS, group A beta hemolytic streptococcus, and obstructive sleep apnea control cohorts: tumor necrosis factor–α and eotaxin-3. In addition, our group also identified a significant reduction in the ex...