[Pubmed] Autoimmune Encephalitis Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection Treated with Thymectomy

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Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep. 2024 May 28;2(4):699-702. doi: 10.1016/j.atssr.2024.04.035. eCollection 2024 Dec.

ABSTRACT

Thymomas have been associated with the generation of paraneoplastic autoantibodies to neurogenic epitopes, collapsin-response-mediator protein-5 receptor (CRMP-5) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxyl-5methyl-4isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR), in patients with acute viral infection. We report a patient with thymoma and myasthenia gravis, with SARS-CoV-2 infection, who became comatose secondary to autoimmune encephalitis. Plasmapheresis, high-dose steroids, pyridostigmine, eculizumab, and rituximab did not restore neurologic function. Robotic thymectomy with thymoma resection rendered CRMP-5 and AMPAR antibody titers undetectable and restored neurologic function. Thoracic surgeons should be aware of this rare condition and know that thymectomy is a potential cure for autoimmune-induced encephalitis in patients with thymoma.

PMID:39790637 | PMC:PMC11708430 | DOI:10.1016/j.atssr.2024.04.035


Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3979063 ... t9+e462414