IL-17 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for PANDAS and PANS
RESEARCH IMPACT:
The study “IL-17 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for PANDAS and PANS” provides compelling evidence that IL-17 is elevated in the serum and CSF of pediatric patients with PANDAS and PANS, supporting a potential role for Th17-mediated neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of these conditions. These findings highlight IL-17 as a promising candidate biomarker for diagnosis and disease monitoring, paving the way for further investigation into targeted immunomodulatory therapies.
SUMMARY
“IL-17 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for PANDAS and PANS” investigates the role of interleukin-17 (IL-17), a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with T-helper 17 (Th17) immune responses, in pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders, including those that met the criteria for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).
Researchers retrospectively analyzed serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-17 levels in 58 children under 14 years who presented with acute neuropsychiatric symptoms. Notably, 62.6% of the cohort was diagnosed with PANDAS or PANS. Main symptoms at onset included tics, OCD, and behavioral disorders, sleep disorders. Nine patients showed choreic movements.
IL-17 levels in serum were significantly elevated compared to healthy controls, and IL-17 was detectable in nearly all affected patients, contrasting with undetectable levels in controls. CSF IL-17 levels were also elevated, particularly among post-pubertal patients and those with PANDAS/PANS, with concentrations exceeding serum levels in these subgroups.
These findings suggest that IL-17 may play a role in the disease pathophysiology of patients with acute neuropsychiatric symptoms, potentially reflecting a persistent or escalating neuroinflammatory response.
LINK TO PAPER: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.11.004
CITATION
Foiadelli, T., Loddo, N., Sacchi, L., Santi, V., D’Imporzano, G., Spreafico, E., Orsini, A., Ferretti, A., De Amici, M., Testa, G., Marseglia, G. L., & Savasta, S. (2025). IL-17 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients with acute neuropsychiatric disorders: Implications for PANDAS and PANS. European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, 54, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpn.2024.11.004