Encephalitis associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus: A case report

• Main Authors: Fenne Vandervorst, Kaat Guldolf, Ilse Peeters, Tim Vanderhasselt, Kathleen Michiels, Kinge Johanna Berends, Johan Van Laethem, Lissa Pipeleers, Stefanie Vincken, Laura Seynaeve, Sebastiaan Engelborghs
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-12-01
• Series: Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery
• Subjects: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Neurological complications; Encephalitis; Hydroxychloroquine
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751920303820

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) usually causes fever, respiratory symptoms, malaise and myalgia. Recent observations suggested possible neurological complications of COVID-19, including the first report of suspected viral encephalitis. We report a case of a 29-year-old male with -on nasopharyngeal testing- confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection with severe respiratory symptoms, followed by clinical and radiological signs of encephalitis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed an asymmetric FLAIR-hyperintensity of the left medial temporal cortex associated with mild gyral expansion. Lumbar puncture was normal and PCR’s for SARS-CoV-2 virus on CSF were negative. Clinicians treating SARS-CoV-2 infected patients should be aware of possible neurological complications, like encephalitis. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 encephalitis is difficult as CSF analysis may be normal.