Late-Onset Encephalopathy Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Neurological complications are increasingly recognized in viral pandemics.
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been associated with diverse neurological symptoms.

Observation:

• A patient presented with fever, cough, and altered mental status, testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.
• Initial symptoms resolved, but the patient later developed worsening encephalopathy without respiratory issues.
• The patient re-tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the encephalopathy episode.

Findings:

• Encephalopathy occurred as a late neurological manifestation of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• The patient's presentation and subsequent encephalopathy were confirmed through clinical evaluation and testing.
• Standard workup for encephalopathy was otherwise unrevealing.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider the possibility of late-onset neurological sequelae, such as encephalopathy, in patients with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Awareness of these delayed neurological manifestations is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
• Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind late neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2.