Severe anti-GAD antibody-associated encephalitis after stem cell transplantation

Abstract Background General features of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody-associated limbic encephalitis are seizures, cognitive impairment, and imaging findings at the medial temporal lobes. We report a patient affected with remarkably severe anti-GAD antibody-positive encephalitis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Case Report A 5-year-old girl received HSCT due to pineoblastoma. Thirteen months after HSCT, she showed seizure clustering and altered mental status. Her anti-GAD antibody level was high, 65,100 U/mL (reference range  Conclusion This may be the first case of severe and recurrent anti-GAD antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis after HSCT with specific MRI findings. No relapse has occurred since starting maintenance IVIG.