Meningo-encephalitis in a middle-aged woman hospitalized for COVID-19
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim: To pay attention of clinicians to possible lesions of the central nervous system (encephalitis) in patients with COVID-19.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case presentation: A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our clinic because of 2-month-history of mild fever, bilateral lower lobe pneumonia, respiratory failure, generalized weakness, and some neurologic symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in nasopharyngeal swab. Chest CT demonstrated bilateral pulmonary poly segmental consolidations in the mid and lower zones. Focal hyper intensive abnormalities in various parts of the left hemisphere were found at MR brain imaging in T2WI, and T2 FLAIR mode. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination showed a white cell count of 31/uL (normal <5/uL), protein 0.73 g/L (0.15-0.45), and glucose 1.4 mmole/L (2.2-3.9). Standard CSF neuroviral PCR panel and PCR for SARS-CoV-2 were negative. She was treated with ganciclovir, and dexamethasone. Due to suspected tuberculosis meningitis (cytosis, decreased level of protein and glucose), she also received ex juvantibus a course of anti-TB therapy (isoniazid, kanamycin, and levofloxacin) and made a steady improvement.
CONCLUSION: Conclusion: This case shows that SARS-CoV-2 in association with other pathogens may cause various lesions of the CNS accompanied by severe neurological manifestations in adults.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 associated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching
- Levofloxacin-Induced Tendon Rupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
- Association between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections in the first 6 months of age in a Korean population: a birth cohort study (COCOA)
- Neuroprotective Effects of Epicatechin against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Quality evaluation and in vitro interaction studies between levofloxacin 250mg and diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets
- Molecular Epidemiology of mcr-1 -Positive Polymyxin B-Resistant Escherichia coli Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) in a Tertiary Hospital in Shandong, China
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.