Brain stem encephalitis is a rare complication of COVID-19

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.578007
• Publication Date: 2022-11-28T00:33:10Z
• Authors: Marc C. Shamier; Yvette S. Crijnen; Susanne Bogers; Jeroen W. IJpelaar; Juna M. de Vries; Mathieu van der Jagt; Jochem K.H. Spoor; Jan H. von der Th...; Marco W.J. Schreurs; Corine H. Geurtsv...; Maarten J. Titulaer
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; SARS-CoV-2; Short Communication; Immunoglobulin G; Humans; COVID-19; Encephalitis; Antibodies, Viral; Brain Stem; 3. Good health

Here, we describe the clinical phenotype of SARS-CoV-2-related CNS disease and evaluate the SARS-CoV-2 antibody index as a tool to differentiate between a direct (viral) and indirect etiology. Out of >4000 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, we included 13 patients with neurological symptoms with suspicion of neuroinflammation. On clinical grounds, eight were classified as having a possible/probable relationship between neurological symptoms and COVID-19. A clinically distinctive phenotype of brainstem and cerebellar symptoms was seen in 6/8 patients. As we found a positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody index in 3/5 patients, indicating specific intrathecal SARS-CoV-2 IgG production, a direct link with SARS-CoV-2 is likely.