What Conditions Can Plasmapheresis Treat?

PANDAS Syndrome

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus or PANDAS syndrome is characterized by acute changes in behavior, personality, and movement around six weeks after being infected by Streptococcus pyogenes. The symptoms of PANDAS syndrome in affected individuals are close to those linked to Tourette syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These symptoms come on suddenly and become worse within a matter of days. PANDAS syndrome occurs when the patient's immune system produces antibodies to fight off the strep bacteria. The strep bacteria are known to methodically disguise themselves using substances similar to the substances that can be found on healthy cells. This disguise causes the immune system antibodies to attack a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, resulting in the psychiatric and physical symptoms of PANDAS syndrome. Plasmapheresis is a treatment used in individuals affected by cases of PANDAS syndrome that are not responding to other therapies and medications. Plasmapheresis removes the antibodies responsible for attacking the basal ganglia. PANDAS syndrome can become a chronic issue in some patient, but most who are treated for it recover without any long-term adverse effects.