Improvement of Tourette syndrome symptoms with penicillin prophylaxis in two male children presenting with severe functional disorder

Abstract

PANDAS (Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) is a term that refers to episodic prepubertal and sudden onset movement disorders and/or obsessive-compulsive symptoms associated with streptococcal infection. It is suggested that the autoimmune process initiated by the infection affects the basal ganglia and causes neuropsychiatric symptoms. It is thought that in these cases with neuropsychiatric symptoms, penicillin prophylaxis may be useful. In this article, the effects of penicillin prophylaxis in two male patients with Tourette syndrome associated with streptococcal infection are discussed.