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Correlation between CSF biomarkers and COVID-19 meningoencephalitis: A case series

Minoosh Moghimi1, Amirhossein Moghtader2, Manijeh Jozpanahi2

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.

Respiratory Medicine Case Reports
|January 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients were investigated. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for the virus was negative, suggesting inflammation or autoimmune responses may cause these neurogenic symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

Background:

  • Growing evidence links coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to neurological complications, including meningoencephalitis.
  • Understanding the specific patterns and clinical features of COVID-19-associated meningoencephalitis is crucial for patient management.

Observation:

  • This study examined nine laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients presenting with neurological symptoms in Zanjan, Iran.
  • All patients had positive RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 and pulmonary involvement.

Findings:

  • Despite neurological manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 was negative in all nine patients.
  • Pulmonary involvement was confirmed in all cases undergoing lumbar puncture and analysis.

Implications:

  • The absence of detectable virus in CSF suggests that neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients may stem from transient viral presence, inflammation, or autoimmune reactions.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying neurogenic symptoms in COVID-19 and inform treatment strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19MeningoencephalitisReverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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