Catatonic syndrome as the presentation of encephalitis in association with COVID-19

COVID-19 has shown different neurological manifestations even sometimes there are the initial or the main presentation. The following case report is about a middle-aged woman who, over 3 days, developed fever, clinical neurological alterations (stupor, muteness, fixed gaze and catatonia), cerebrospinal fluid (16 lymphocytes) and an electroencephalogram (EEG) (4-6 Hz generalised activity) with characteristics of encephalitis. A serum IgG, IgM, nasopharyngeal swab PCR for SARS-CoV-2. The patient responded positively to support measures, symptomatic and corticosteroid treatment. At discharge, the patient was independent and improved considerably. We report the presence of catatonia as a possible and atypical manifestation of encephalitis in association with COVID-19.

Automated summary

This case report describes a middle-aged woman with symptoms of encephalitis after contracting COVID-19, including fever, neurological alterations, and characteristic brain features. The patient responded well to treatment and showed significant improvement upon discharge.