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Cheng P, Huang W, Yang M, Chen Z, Geng Y, Zhang X, Chen W. Autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy after viral encephalitis: a case report of bimodal overlapping encephalitis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1258048. [PMID: 37781407 PMCID: PMC10535097 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1258048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a treatable autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. Despite extensive research, the exact etiology and pathogenesis of this condition remain unclear. In recent years, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) after viral encephalitis (VE) has gathered significant attention. Here, we present a case report of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy after VE in a 43-year-old Asian male with a history of oral and labial herpes. The patient presented with high-grade fever, headache, urinary retention, unresponsiveness, and apathy. Elevated levels of protein and GFAP-IgG were observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed linear enhancement oriented radially to the ventricles. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resulted in symptom relief, reduced lesion enhancement, and decreased protein levels. This case report highlights bimodal encephalitis with no discernible interval between VE and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, which poses diagnostic challenges. Notably, autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy is a novel form of autoimmune encephalitis, and its treatment lacks sufficient clinical experience. Intriguingly, our patient demonstrated sensitivity to IVIG, a treatment that differed from past reports. Therefore, further exploration of treatment strategies for this condition is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wenjuan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meifang Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiren Chen
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yifan Geng
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Clinical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weiwei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui, China
- Department of Neurology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, XuZhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Qin N, Wu X, Wang J, Wang W, Wang X, Ma Y, Wang L. Case report: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy misdiagnosed as tuberculous meningitis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1123603. [PMID: 36970528 PMCID: PMC10034075 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1123603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionAutoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a new form of autoimmunity-mediated central nervous system disease. It is especially easy to misdiagnose when clinical symptoms and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicators are similar to those observed in patients with tuberculous meningitis (TBM).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed five cases of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy that were initially misdiagnosed as TBM.ResultsIn the five reported cases, all but one patient had meningoencephalitis in the clinic, and all patients exhibited increased pressure, lymphocytosis, increased protein levels, and decreased glucose levels in their CSF results and did not have typical imaging findings of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. TBM was the initial diagnosis in all five patients. However, we found no direct evidence of tuberculosis infection, and anti-tuberculosis treatment had inconclusive effects. Following a GFAP antibody test, the diagnosis of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy was made.ConclusionWhen there is a suspected diagnosis of TBM but TB-related tests are negative, the possibility of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy should be considered.
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Kimura A, Takekoshi A, Shimohata T. Characteristics of Movement Disorders in Patients with Autoimmune GFAP Astrocytopathy. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12040462. [PMID: 35447992 PMCID: PMC9028698 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy (GFAP-A) is a type of autoimmune corticosteroid-responsive meningoencephalitis that occurs with or without myelitis. Movement disorders have been reported in GFAP-A patients but have not been characterized. In this study, we examined the characteristics of movement disorders in GFAP-A patients. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 87 consecutive patients with GFAP-A attending Gifu University Hospital in Japan. We compared the demographics, clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, and neuroimaging findings from patients with and without movement disorders. Seventy-four patients (85%) had movement disorders, including ataxia (49%), tremor (45%), myoclonus (37%), dyskinesia (2%), opsoclonus (2%), rigidity (2%), myokymia (1%), and choreoathetosis (1%). GFAP-A patients with movement disorders were significantly older than those without. Movement disorders are therefore common in GFAP-A patients, and the main types of movement disorders observed in this population were ataxia, tremor, and myoclonus. These abnormal movements can serve as clinical features that facilitate the early diagnosis of GFAP-A. Elderly GFAP-A patients are more likely to have movement disorder complications than younger patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Kimura
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-58-230-6253; Fax: +81-58-230-6256
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) Astrocytopathy Presenting as Mild Encephalopathy with Reversible Splenium Lesion. Neurol Ther 2021; 11:499-505. [PMID: 34843090 PMCID: PMC8857338 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-021-00302-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is scarce and usually presents as meningoencephalomyelitis. Here, we offer the case of an atypical presentation of GFAP-astrocytopathy. Case Presentation We report the case of a 26-year-old woman admitted to our neurology department for a 3-week progressive and worsening neurologic picture, with secondary worsening. Initial imaging showed a Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Splenium of corpus callosum lesion (MERS). Full infectious and autoimmune workup then revealed positivity of GFAP antibodies, leading us to diagnose GFAP astrocytopathy. Discussion Our case is the first reported association between MERS and GFAP astrocytopathy in an adult patient. Clinical presentation of GFAP astrocytopathy usually includes various neurologic symptoms and can lead to misdiagnosis.
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