SARS-CoV-2 infection commonly affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. As a result of this effect, different neurological and psychiatric clinical pictures emerge. Although it is known that the neurotropic effect of this new microorganism is high, its effects on neuronal structures in the short and long term are still controversial. Neurological involvement secondary to SARS CoV-2 is heterogeneous in terms of both clinical presentation and treatment responses and prognosis. In this study, a case of encephalitis developing after SARS-CoV-2 infection is presented.
In the case, classical catatonia and encephalopathy clinic were observed together. The emergence of the neuropsychiatric clinic after the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection disappeared, suggesting that, the picture is primarily related to immune processes. The presented case showed a good clinical response to symptomatic catatonia treatment and immune modulatory agents and recovered both physically and cognitively without any sequelae. In terms of clinical presentation and treatment response, it is thought that SARS-CoV-2 infection creates a distinct and unique encephalitic involvement from the usual forms of autoimmune encephalitis.
