Year: 2022
Type: review
Abstract: 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.
Institutions: Medical College of Wisconsin, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Utah, Washington State University Spokane, University of California, San Francisco, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Sheffield, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Emory University, Duke University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: ALS Association
OpenAlex ID: W4289315418