Sonja Orlovska, MD; Claus Høstrup Vestergaard, MS; Bodil Hammer Bech, PhD; Merete Nordentoft, DrMed; Mogens Vestergaard, PhD; Michael Eriksen Benros, PhD
JAMA Psychiatry-2017
The findings reported in this research study represent one of the largest retrospective studies conducted to date on the association between streptococcal infections and PANDAS. Children with a previously positive streptococcus test had an 18% higher risk of any mental disorder, 51% higher risk of OCD, and 35% higher risk of tic disorders, which are diagnostic criteria for PANDAS. Study findings support the association of streptococcal and non-streptococcal infections in the diagnosis of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome.