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SARS-CoV-2 investigation in cerebrospinal fluid from meningitis patients during the first pandemic wave
Maria Cecilia Cergole-Novella1, Thayná Rosa Bispo1, Elaine Monteiro Matsuda2
1Instituto Adolfo Lutz, Centro de Laboratório Regional Santo André, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
SARS-CoV-2 predominantly affects the respiratory system; however, during the first pandemic wave, there was a concern about its neuroinvasive potential due to its ability to replicate in neural cells and the neurological signs widely reported as impaired taste or smell. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from suspected cases of meningitis. During the first year of the pandemic, from January 2020 to February 2021, CSF samples were first submitted to multiplex qPCR to detect the three main bacteria causing meningitis (Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae), as the routine of the laboratory, but also, they were submitted to RT-qPCR to SARS-CoV-2 detection. Some samples (20 %) were positive for one bacterium; however, none were positive for the virus, suggesting that the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in meninges is extremely low. This study with other data in the literature contributes to the epidemiologic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
Insights
This study investigated SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of meningitis patients. No virus was detected in CSF, indicating a very low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 affecting the meninges.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) primarily impacts the respiratory system.
- Concerns arose regarding its neuroinvasive potential during the initial pandemic wave due to neurological symptoms like altered taste or smell.
- The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to replicate in neural cells prompted investigations into its central nervous system effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples.
- To assess the neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with suspected meningitis.
- To contribute to the epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
Main Methods:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected from January 2020 to February 2021.
- Samples underwent multiplex qPCR for common meningitis-causing bacteria (Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae).
- Samples were also tested for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR.
Main Results:
- Bacterial meningitis pathogens were detected in 20% of the CSF samples.
- No SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in any of the analyzed CSF samples.
- The findings suggest an extremely low incidence of SARS-CoV-2 in the meninges.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates that SARS-CoV-2 rarely invades the meninges.
- The neuroinvasive potential of SARS-CoV-2 in the context of meningitis appears to be minimal.
- Further research and surveillance are warranted to fully understand the neurological impact of SARS-CoV-2.
