A post-streptococcal pathogenesis in children with tic disorders is suggested by a color Doppler echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND

A post-streptococcal autoimmune mechanism, similar to that of rheumatic fever or Sydenham's chorea, has been hypothesized in some cases of neuropsychiatric disorder (tics and/or obsessive-compulsive disorders). A few studies on the involvement of other organs, outside the central nervous system, have been performed in these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a possible post-streptococcal pathogenesis in the children affected by tic disorders and showing sign of streptococcal exposure.

METHODS

A case-control study was performed at the Outpatient Division of the Child Neurology and Psychiatry, and Paediatrics Departments of the University "La Sapienza" of Rome, from September 1, 2000, to February 28, 2005. Forty-eight subjects affected by tic disorder, aged 4-16 years, with signs of a recent or intercurrent exposure to streptococcal antigens, and 18 age-matched patients affected by tic disorder but without evidence of streptococcal exposure were examined by Color doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

The rate of echocardiographic abnormalities was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the patients with sign of streptococcal exposure. In 28 out of 48 patients (58.3%), the color Doppler echocardiography showed abnormalities: 26 patients (54,3%) had a mitral regurgitation, 1 (2%) a mitral valve prolapse and finally 1 (2%) showed a kinking of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. In the control group, four children (22.2%) showed a mitral regurgitation. All of these abnormalities were not hemodynamically significant, and in many cases decreased with time.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher rate of echocardiographic abnormalities observed in patients with tic disorder and exposure to group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal antigens, together with their decrease with time, suggest a post-streptococcal pathogenesis.