Anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A case series from Myanmar

Objectives: Since 2007, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis has been increasingly reported worldwide. Although the diagnostic testing of anti-NMDAR encephalitis was available in Myanmar since 2016, there have been no studies reported so far. This is a report of anti- NMDAR encephalitis admitted to one of the tertiary care hospitals in Myanmar. Methods: It is an observational study of anti-NMDAR encephalitis admitted at North Okkalapa General and Teaching Hospital (NOGTH) for three consecutive years. Results: In this study, ten patients diagnosed as anti- NMDAR encephalitis were included. Median age of onset was 21 years, ranged from 16 to 85 years. Nine out of ten patients were female (90%). Seven patients (70%) showed four of the six major groups of symptoms. Only one patient (10%) was found to have ovarian teratoma. EEG abnormalities were observed in all patients (100%). Out of six MRIs done, four (66.6%) were normal. Conclusion: This study showed that demographic profile, clinical characteristics, and ancillary test results were in similarity with other previous studies but mortality rate of 40% was relatively high as compared to previous studies.