Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-Cov-2 Infection Associating Peripheral, Autonomic and Central Nervous System Disturbances: Case Report and Review of the Literature ()
1. Introduction
The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV [COVID-19]) epidemic is caused by the novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-nCoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2). There is a recent review of acute neurological illness associated with COVID-19 [1]. Less attention has been devoted to chronic progressive neurological deficits.
2. Materials and Methods
The diagnosis of acute COVID-19 infection and immunity was confirmed by a positive reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab, and acquired immunity was ascertained by the presence of elevated SARS-CoV-2 IgG-specific serum antibody. Electrodiagnostic studies (EDX) were performed in three limbs according to standard methods [2]. Epidermal nerve fiber (ENF) densities were ascertained in a 3-mm punch biopsy of skin taken from the lateral thigh and calf and placed in paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodic acid fixative and compared to age-matched controls using normative data [3] [4]. Autonomic evaluation of beat-to-beat blood pressure acquisition for testing of cardiovagal (parasympathetic) function, adrenergic (sympathetic) function of heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) during rapid respiration, Valsalva maneuver and 5-minute 70-degree head up tilt (HUT) table test were performed according to standard guidelines. [5] 18Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography fused to non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) of the brain with 3D rendering was performed using a standard protocol for autoimmune encephalopathy. Mayo Clinic (Mayo Labs, Rochester, MN) serum autoantibody (ENS2) panel screened for autoimmune encephalopathy.
3. Results
A 53-year-old woman tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 in the spring 2020 associated with an upper respiratory infection and loss of taste. Later in the summer she developed an erratic pulse and BP, fatigue, neuropathic pain, weakness, and brain fog. Examination in December 2020 showed stocking sensory loss to vibration, cold temperature, and pin prick, mild weakness in strength graded 4+/5 in the arms and legs with hyporeflexia. EDX showed mixed chronic distal demyelinating and axonal changes. ENF densities were in the low normal range for age in the thigh (patient value, 12.9 ENFs per mm skin; normal 21.4 ENFs/mm) and below the normal range for age in the calf (patient value, 8.4 ENFs/mm; normal 9.8 ENFs/mm) without significant histologic abnormalities (Figure 1). HUT table testing showed symptomatic orthostatic intolerance associated with a sustained fall in SBP to 80 mmHg and a compensatory HR acceleration to 121 bpm. FDG PET/MRI with 3D post-processing showed hypometabolism of bilateral anterior and mesial temporal lobes and a focal area of FDG hypometabolism in the high left paramedian superior frontal gyrus with normal cortical volumes (Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b)). Mayo Clinic ENS2 panel showed no autoantibodies. She was started on high-dose 2 grams per kilogram of monthly intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) therapy.
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Figure 1. Left thigh epidermal nerve fiber biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining of epidermal nerve fibers (ENF) using the PGP9.5 antibody, counter-stained by Eosin. The density of ENF was 12.9/mm. Original magnification ×200.
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Figure 2. (a) and (b) FDG PET fused to MRI demonstrates symmetric moderate FDG hypometabolism in the medial temporal lobe structures, thalami and cerebellum (blended volumetric T1-weighted images with superimposed FDG, scale bar “red” set to right sensorimotor cortex). There was no structural MRI correlate.
4. Discussion
Progressive PNS, ANS and CNS involvement developed in a patient convalescing from Covid-19 illness. Although autoimmune encephalopathy was suggested by hypometabolism of bilateral mesial temporal lobes, there was no circulating autoantibody or history of seizures or seizure focus, to make a definite diagnosis as in six other reported patients who underwent PET brain imaging unfused to MRI [6]. There are several reasons to consider the contribution of immune mechanisms in Covid-19 neurological illness. Clinicopathologic studies of decedents [7] show elevated levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, suggesting activation of innate and adaptive immunity during the acute illness indicative of a cytokine storm associated with focal and diffuse cortical, brainstem, and leptomeningeal T-cell mediated inflammation in postmortem examination.
The parainfectious autoimmune disorder, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy accompanies acute systemic COVID-19 illness [8]. Painful small fiber sensory polyneuropathy demonstrated on ENF studies and dysautonomia by standard testing with symptoms of brain fog were described as a post-infectious COVID-19 syndrome treated with IVIg in a similar case, however, EDX and PET/MRI were not reported [9]. One region of the brain that may be important in COVID-19 related neurological illness is the mesial temporal lobes and hippocampus, which were found to be hypometabolic in the present case. These structures are notable for their role in modulating mood and memory by increasing or decreasing the integration of neurons in its delicate network [10]. The finding of altered metabolism in these structures without morphological changes, which may be a potential marker of COVID-related brain dysfunction and its reversibility with immune modulatory therapy such as IVIg, would be notable achievements in understanding the mechanism of post-Covid encephalopathy.
The precise pathogenesis of the neurological illness in the present patient is not well understood, however, it is likely to be related to preceding SARS-CoV-2 infection and its direct and indirect effects on neurons. These mechanisms were captured in a recent study by Ramani and coworkers [11] employing a brain organoid model. They found increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining indicating deoxyribonuclease (DNA) breaks and fragmentation typical of the terminal phase of apoptosis. In addition, there was a reversible deposition of pT231 Tau in SARS-CoV-2 positive neurons, capable of triggering the downstream cascade of immune-inflammation, neuronal stress, and direct neurotoxicity.
The mechanism of post-infectious immunity, which appears likely in the present patients may be described by the acronym, I-Cubed (I3) that posits the multiplier effect of infection, immunity, and inflammation, which when conditioned by environmental and genetic predisposing factors, can be the source of nervous system autoimmunity [12]. It is unlikely that the designations, Covid Long Hauler and Long Covid [13] are inclusive enough to describe this disorder, however, given the magnitude of those affected, and their congregation and self-selection among mounting Facebook Groups (https://www.facebook.com/groups/359321171725541), they may be useful cohorts for future studies (https://www.davidsyounger.com).