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COVID-19-associated encephalitis or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: a case report
Gooya Tayyebi1, Seyed Kazem Malakouti1, Behnam Shariati1
1Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Rapidly progressive dementia diagnosis is challenging during COVID-19. This case highlights sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, emphasizing accurate diagnosis for optimal patient care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the diagnosis and management of non-COVID-19 neurological conditions.
- Diagnostic performance and healthcare resource allocation were significantly impacted globally.
Observation:
- A 57-year-old male presented with rapid cognitive decline, headache, diplopia, myalgia, gait instability, and psychiatric symptoms.
- COVID-19-associated encephalitis was considered but ruled out through further investigations.
Findings:
- The patient was ultimately diagnosed with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- This rare neurodegenerative disease presents with a rapid and severe progression of neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
Implications:
- Timely and accurate diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is crucial for appropriate patient management.
- Avoiding extensive diagnostic evaluations for alternative conditions conserves resources and reduces patient burden.
Abstract:
Background: Accurate diagnosis and management of patients with rapidly progressive dementia may be challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has negatively influenced the diagnostic performances, medical resource allocation and routine care for all non-COVID-19 diseases. Case presentation: We herein present a case of a 57-year-old male with rapidly progressive cognitive decline, headache, diplopia, myalgia, unsteady gait, aggression, depression, insomnia, hallucinations and delusions of persecution. COVID-19-associated encephalitis was briefly considered as a differential diagnosis. However, this hypothesis was rejected upon further investigation. A final diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease was made. Conclusion: A timely and accurate diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease gives patients and their families the chance to receive a good standard of healthcare and avoid extensive evaluations for other conditions.
