Strep Throat Worsen Tourette, will not affect ADHD

By Robert Preidt
HealthDay Reporter

HOMES, March 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Strep neck does not appear to alleviate Tourette syndrome and other harmful tick disorders in adolescents, according to a new study.

But he found a link between strep disease and increased depression and inactivity among children with ADHD.

People with harmful tic disorder have abnormal repetitive movements and voice. Previous research has suggested a link between strep and tic and behavioral disorders.

“The link between streptococcus and tics in children remains a matter of debate,” said the study’s author, Dr. Davide Martino, of the University of Calgary in Canada. “We wanted to look at that issue, as well as a possible link between strep and behavioral symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. [OCD] and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]. “

To investigate the possible link, researchers focused on group A streptococcus, a type of bacteria that causes strep throat, impetigo and several other diseases.

The study included 715 children and adolescents with chronic tick disorder, including 91% diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. Over 250 had ADHD, and 227 had obsessive compulsive disorder.

follow up

Every four months, researchers took neck swabs and blood samples from the children to check for strep bacteria. This was done for an average of 16 months.

At the start of the study, 59 children tested positive for strep bacteria. During the study, 103 children had new experiences of strep bacteria.

Among all children, more than 300 symptoms worsened during the study, but there was no association between strep exposure and worsening of tics or OCD symptoms.

However, strep exposure was associated with an approximately 20% increase in ADHD symptoms of depression and infertility, according to the study. The findings were published Feb. 10 in the online issue of the journal Neurology.

“While our findings indicate that strep is not likely to be one of the main causes of exacerbations of tics, more research is needed into other possible explanations,” Martino said. in a magazine press release.

“For example, the social stress of this disorder may be attributed to making tics worse than diseases. It is also possible that another pathogen may provoke a response. immunity associated with worsening, “he said.

follow up

Find out more

The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more on Tourette syndrome.

SOURCE: Neurology, press release, February 10, 2021

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