TY - JOUR
T1 - ALSUntangled #66
T2 - antimycobacterial antibiotics.
AU - Pierce, Ellen S.
AU - Barkhaus, Paul
AU - Beauchamp, Morgan
AU - Bromberg, Mark
AU - Carter, Gregory T.
AU - Goslinga, Jill
AU - Greeley, David
AU - Kihuwa-Mani, Sky
AU - Levitsky, Gleb
AU - Lund, Isaac
AU - McDermott, Christopher
AU - Pattee, Gary
AU - Pierce, Kaitlyn
AU - Polak, Meraida
AU - Ratner, Dylan
AU - Wicks, Paul
AU - Bedlack, Richard
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 World Federation of Neurology on behalf of the Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Several infections have been associated with motor neuron diseases resembling ALS, including species of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), most known for its probable etiologic association with Crohn’s disease, has been suggested as another possible infectious cause of motor neuron disease. Two published case reports describe the successful treatment of ALS-like symptoms with antimycobacterial antibiotics. Both cases had atypical features. Based on these, we believe it would be reasonable to begin performing chest imaging in PALS who have features of their history or exam that are atypical for ALS such as pain, fevers, or eye movement abnormalities. If the chest imaging is abnormal, more specific testing for mycobacteria may be indicated. Until there is more clear evidence of an association between mycobacteria and ALS, we cannot endorse the widespread use of potentially toxic antimycobacterial antibiotics for PALS.
AB - Several infections have been associated with motor neuron diseases resembling ALS, including species of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), most known for its probable etiologic association with Crohn’s disease, has been suggested as another possible infectious cause of motor neuron disease. Two published case reports describe the successful treatment of ALS-like symptoms with antimycobacterial antibiotics. Both cases had atypical features. Based on these, we believe it would be reasonable to begin performing chest imaging in PALS who have features of their history or exam that are atypical for ALS such as pain, fevers, or eye movement abnormalities. If the chest imaging is abnormal, more specific testing for mycobacteria may be indicated. Until there is more clear evidence of an association between mycobacteria and ALS, we cannot endorse the widespread use of potentially toxic antimycobacterial antibiotics for PALS.
KW - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
KW - antimycobacterial antibiotic therapy
KW - infectious ALS
KW - motor neurone disease
KW - paratuberculosis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85135321204&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/21678421.2022.2104650
DO - 10.1080/21678421.2022.2104650
M3 - Review article
C2 - 35913017
AN - SCOPUS:85135321204
SN - 2167-8421
VL - 24
SP - 539
EP - 543
JO - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
JF - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration
IS - 5-6
ER -