Plasma exchange for anti GAD associated non paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis.

Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a neurological syndrome usually presenting in a paraneoplastic form. Recently many cases were reported with no concurring neoplasia, presenting with specific antibodies for voltage-gated potassium channel or for neuronal membrane antigens. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies act against GABAergic receptors of the central nervous system.

Non-paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis associated with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies.

Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a neurological syndrome that may present in association with cancer, infection, or as an isolate clinical condition often accompanying autoimmune disorders. Here we have characterized the clinical and laboratory features of two patients presenting with subacute onset, and chronic evolution, of anterograde amnesia and drug-resistant epilepsy associated with thyroid autoimmunity and in absence of tumoral pathology despite long follow-up. Antibodies against onconeural antigens, voltage gated potassium channel and glutamate receptors, which may accompany paraneoplastic as well as non-paraneoplastic LE, were negative.

Human meningitis caused by Streptococcus suis: the first case report from north-eastern Italy.

We describe the first case of Streptococcus suis meningitis in the north-east of Italy. We would like to stress that Streptococcus suis should be seriously considered in the differential diagnosis of human meningitis especially in adults with a recent history of close contact with pigs or unprocessed pork meat.