New York Mystery Illness: Eight Girls Diagnosed with Strep Related PANDA-like Illnesses
[FOX News medical expert Dr. Marc Seigel, January 13, 2012: "I think it's probably chronic strep infection"]
Residents of New York need to ask why the New York State Health Department has dug in its heels with its bizarre ‘Mass Conversion’ diagnosis of 16 teen girls suffering a mysterious illness in Leroy, New York. Mass conversion, the modern day label of Mass Hysteria.
Dr. Rosario Trifiletti, a New Jersey-based child neurologist who treated eight of the girls issued a statement on the PANDAS Network website all eight girls tested positive for PANDA-like illnesses.
[Snip]
STATEMENT ON LEROY, NY CLUSTER
“I have now had the opportunity to review laboratory data collected in a standardized fashion on eight of the nine girls I examined in Leroy, NY on 1/29/12. Five of eight girls show evidence of carriage of Streptococcus Pyogenes and seven of eight show evidence of infection with Mycoplasma Pneumonia. All eight girls tested show evidence of infection with at least one of these pathogens. Both of these agents have been associated with a PANDAS-like illness with the sudden onset of motor and vocal tics. Thus, a PANDAS-like illness is my working diagnosis, rather than a mass conversion disorder.
These findings provide a significant clue in the Leroy High School mystery, but certainly many questions remain. Streptococcus Pyogenes and Mycoplasma Pneumonia are common pathogens that children throughout the world are exposed to every day. Why this town? Why this particular child and not another? Why such a curious presentation resembling Tourette syndrome? Until these questions are fully answered, the cluster will remain a mystery. I suspect that genetic, environmental factors provide an immune background where the PANDAS-like response is possible to common pathogens. The infectious exposure is simply “the straw that broke the camel’s back”. However, the infectious exposure points the way to rational medical treatment for these children, which is of immediate importance. Such treatment, which involves antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, has already begun. Clearly, response to such treatment will be helpful in supporting my working diagnosis.
From the National Institute of Mental Health Website:
“PANDAS, is an abbreviation for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections. The term is used to describe a subset of children who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and/or tic disorders such as Tourette’s Syndrome, and in whom symptoms worsen following strep. infections such as “Strep throat” and Scarlet Fever.
The children usually have dramatic, “overnight” onset of symptoms, including motor or vocal tics, obsessions, and/or compulsions. In addition to these symptoms, children may also become moody, irritable or show concerns about separating from parents or loved ones. This abrupt onset is generally preceeded by a Strep. throat infection.”
An environmental factor in Leroy, New York, the two EPA Toxic hazardous waste Superfund cleanup sites located near the Leroy Jr. Sr. High School.
Dr. Trifietti talked with Dr. Drew Pinsky on The Dr. Drew Show, a nightly program on cable network CNN Headline News.
The Dr. Drew program has been covering the mystery illnesses in Le Roy for more than a week. The girls and one boy are experiencing tics, verbal outbursts and other symptoms.
The New York State Health Department released a report last week saying the girls did not meet the criteria for PANDAS.
The health department stands by its diagnosis of conversion disorder.
Another report on a strep throat connection, CBS St. Louis’ NY Mystery Illness Strikes Chord With Local Families.
