Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39910009›Full record

ReviewEating and weight disorders : EWD2025

Abrupt onset or exacerbation of anorexia nervosa following recent infections: a mini-review and a case report with an atypical manifestation of PANS.

Lavalle Raffaele, Tournour Cristina, Rubano Serena, Delsedime Nadia, Panero Matteo, Abbate-Daga Giovanni

Abstract readCase ReportsReview
In one paragraph

Review in Eating and weight disorders : EWD, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Lavalle Raffaele *Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-6213-8378
Tournour Cristina *Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0005-8838-4516
Rubano SerenaDepartment of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0004-4126-8713
Delsedime NadiaDepartment of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3211-5617
Panero MatteoDepartment of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9385-0332
Abbate-Daga GiovanniDepartment of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy. giovanni.abbatedaga@unito.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5826-5664

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThis study examines the connection between infections and the abrupt onset or exacerbation of anorexia nervosa (AN) in the context of PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections).

methodsThe authors conducted a literature review and present a case study of a 17-year-old girl treated at the University of Turin Eating Disorder Unit, whose AN presented with an abrupt onset following an infection and was characterized by a rapid and favorable course.

resultsThe review includes 30 cases derived from six studies, suggesting that AN can manifest as PANS/PANDAS, with subjects, mainly adolescents, experiencing sudden or exacerbated eating restrictions alongside obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Some cases improved with antibiotics or standard psychiatric treatments, although age, symptom severity, and diagnostic markers like D8/17 varied across studies. Data on treatment follow-up also varied. The report refers to the case of V., a 17-year-old girl who developed AN following an intestinal infection. After significant weight loss and amenorrhea, she was hospitalized for 29 days, receiving psychiatric care, nutritional rehabilitation, and pharmacological treatment. Over 2 months of residential care and ongoing outpatient therapy, she improved notably, though mild body dysmorphophobia persisted.

conclusionsWhile evidence suggests a possible link between infections and AN, research is still limited and inconsistent. Infections may trigger AN through autoimmune mechanisms or by initiating weight loss, particularly in younger patients. Although further studies are needed to clarify this relationship, infections should be considered in AN diagnosis, especially in pediatric cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, a narrative review and a case report.

Indexed as

Anorexia NervosaAutoimmune DiseasesObsessive-Compulsive DisorderStreptococcal InfectionsAdolescentFemaleHumansAbrupt onsetAnorexia nervosaFood restrictionsPANDASPANSPost-infectious onset

Identifiers

PMID39910009
PMCPMC11799097

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.