Palatal Petechiae in the Absence of Group A Streptococcus in Pediatric Patients with Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Deterioration: A Cohort Study
Mahony Talia, Sidell Douglas, Gans Hayley, Cooperstock Michael, Brown Kayla, Cheung Joanne M, Farhadian Bahare, Gustafson Melissa, Thienemann Margo, and Frankovich Jennifer
JCAP-2017
Despite the established relationship between palatal petechiae and GAS, no patient with palatal petechiae in our clinic tested positive for GAS and only 32% had evidence of recent GAS. Most did not have an identifiable cause for the palatal lesions. This finding suggests the potential for alternative causes of palatal petechiae or undetectable GAS in our patient population. The high prevalence of palatal petechiae without GAS infection suggests that the pathogenesis of PANS is multifactorial and may involve disruption or inflammation of the microvasculature.