Amoxicillin for the Treatment of Pediatric Autoimmune Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infections
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2001-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Bacteria carry substances on their surface called antigens. When antigens come into contact
with the right kinds of cells in the body an immune reaction is caused. This reaction is
often the symptoms of sickness that a patient feels.
In order for the body to fight off the attack of antigens, it creates substances called
antibodies. Antibodies counter the action of antigens and make the bacteria harmless.
However, the immune system must learn how to make the right antibodies for the right
antigens. Sometimes the body creates antibodies that confuse normal tissues as foreign and
attack them. This is called an autoimmune reaction and sometimes occurs when the body is
exposed to certain bacteria.
One bacteria known for causing autoimmune reactions is Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus
(GABHS). This bacteria often causes throat infections commonly known as "strep throat". Some
researchers believe that the autoimmune reaction associated with strep throat infections may
cause neuropsychiatric disorders, like obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or tic disorder in
children. As a result, each time a child with one of these disorders experiences an infection
with GABHS his/her symptoms can reoccur or worsen. Researchers believe that by giving
patients a certain antibiotic, they can prevent GABHS infection and thus prevent the return
of symptoms.
This study is designed to test the effectiveness of the antibiotic Amoxicillin for the
treatment of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal
infections (PANDAS). Patients will receive Amoxicillin for six weeks and placebos "inactive
sugar pills" for six weeks in order to see if the medication is truly working. Effectiveness
of the treatment will be based on the presence or absence of symptoms. If at the end of the
study Amoxicillin is proven to be effective treatment for PANDAS patients may be offered the
opportunity to continue taking the medication for an additional six months.