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[Immune-mediated encephalitis in a child with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection]

Jhoanna Adauto Luizaga1, Florencia Costa Almar1, Agustina Zwirner1

  • 1Clínica Pediátrica, Hospital de Niños Dr. Ricardo Gutiérrez, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Archivos Argentinos De Pediatria
|July 28, 2022
PubMed

Insights

A recent SARS-CoV-2 infection may trigger anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis in children. This case study explores the potential link between viral infections and autoimmune neurological disorders in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Encephalitis is common in children, with infectious and immune-mediated causes.
  • The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has presented diverse clinical manifestations in children, including neurological symptoms and MIS-C.
  • Anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis is a significant autoimmune neurological disorder.

Observation:

  • A 2-year-old boy was diagnosed with anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis.
  • Serological tests confirmed a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection in the patient.
  • The patient presented with symptoms consistent with encephalitis.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a temporal association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis.
  • Serological evidence suggests a possible link between the virus and the autoimmune condition.
  • This finding supports the hypothesis of viral triggers for autoimmune diseases.

Implications:

  • SARS-CoV-2 may act as a trigger for autoimmune encephalitis in susceptible pediatric populations.
  • Understanding this association can aid in early diagnosis and management of post-infectious autoimmune neurological disorders.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking SARS-CoV-2 to anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis.

Keywords:
COVID-19anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitiscoronavirusencephalitispediatrics

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