Limbic encephalitis with antibodies to N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor after allogeneic transplantation

Various central nervous system (CNS) complications may occur after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), which can result in severe clinical problems. Diagnosis is often difficult, as distinctive clinical symptoms may be absent and different neurological disorders may exhibit similar symptoms. Despite the fact that antibodies responding to brain cell surface antigens have become well recognized in several CNS disorders, cases of autoimmune CNS disorders after allo-HSCT have rarely been reported. Here, we report on a patient who developed encephalitis associated with antibodies against N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor (GluR) after allo-HSCT. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the involvement of antibodies against NMDA-type GluR in post-transplantation encephalitis. Autoimmunity to NMDA-type GluR may have contributed to neurological complications after transplantation in unresolved cases.