title: Multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis associated with streptococcal infection.
abstract: Multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis (MDEM) is a rare peculiar diagnosis which is defined as acute demyelinating central nervous system disease with relapses occurring only within 4 weeks of initial manifestation. This report describes the case of a 6-year-old boy with MDEM diagnosed by clinical findings and magnetic resonance imaging. The disease had a biphasic evolution, and with a second course of high-dose corticosteroids a complete recovery without further relapse was obtained during the following 18 months. Serological evidence of streptococcal infection as specific trigger for MDEM was given. Thus this report raises the question whether an additional penicillin prophylaxis could be valuable for prevention of streptococcus-associated MDEM relapses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Lübeck Medical School, Lübeck, Germany. haertel@paedia.ukl.mu-luebeck.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Härtel
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schilling
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gottschalk
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sperner
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004673:Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013256:Steroids; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013256:Steroids