Coronavirus, Its Neurologic Manifestations, and Complications

Abstract

Context:We are going to face an epidemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) virus in our country. The main manifestation of this viral infection is respiratory and cardiovascular; however, up-to-date knowledge of its probable neurologic complications is highly needed. Evidence Acquisition: To provide up-to-date information on neurologic manifestation on coronaviruses, we concisely reviewed the neurologic manifestations and their complications. Using the keywords, coronavirus, corona, human coronaviruses (HCoVs), SARS, Middle East respiratory syndrome-related (MERS), coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), manifestations, complications, and neurologic, all the relevant articles were retrieved from PubMed, reviewed, and critically analyzed. Results: Although the main clinical manifestation of human coronaviruses is respiratory involvement and the main cause of death is acute respiratory failure, extra respiratory manifestations such as neurologic findings have been reported. Fortunately, the neurologic manifestations in COVID-19 have not been reported yet. Conclusions: We need well-designed studies to monitor neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 in adults and children.

Acute transverse myelitis after SARS-CoV-2 infection: a rare complicated case of rapid onset paraplegia

“…This infection mostly affects the respiratory system, but extra respiratory multi-systemic involvement has also been reported (Casadevall and Pirofski 2020 ; Wang et al 2020 ; Farahani et al 2020 ). Neurological manifestations are rare but reported during the acute phase and the treatment period (Ashrafi et al 2020 April). In particular, SARS-CoV-2 is a neurotrophic and neuro-invasive virus, and experimental animal studies have reported the association of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) and demyelination with this infection (Brison et al 2011 ).…”

Vertigo and hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic – is there an association?

“…Most neurologic manifestations occurred early in the illness and neurologic symptoms were the only presenting symptoms in some patients without other typical symptoms of COVID-19 7 . The spectrum of neurologic syndromes known to be caused by COVID-19 encompasses encephalitis, meningitis, demyelination and Guillain-Barre syndrome 7 , 8 . Thus, SARS-CoV-2 neurotropism may make it possible to inflict a wide spectrum of neuropathic effects, potentially including effects on neural networks governing hearing and balance.…”

Intractable airsickness associated with COVID-19: A case report

“… 9 This mysterious respiratory virus is also able to produce different extra respiratory multi-systemic (particularly neurological) involvement as an immune-mediated complexes. 3 , 4 …”

“… 1 , 2 Neurological manifestations are not common but reported during the acute phase and treatment period. 3 Being a neurotrophic, neuroinvasive, and neuroinflammatory virus, 4 Li et al recently described the neuroinvasive potential of COVID-19 and related clinical manifestations.…”