Klinische Infektionskrankheiten und Praxis

Abstrakt

Increased Cases of Acute Polyneuropathy in COVID-19 Pandemic; What Awaits Neurologists

Mehmet Sinan Özeren

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), originating from Wuhan, is spreading around the world and the outbreak continues to escalate. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) typically present with fever and respiratory illness. COVID-19 primary affects the respiratory system but central and peripheral neurological manifestations associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) infection have been increasingly reported. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) represents the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. The classic form is an immune-mediated acute-onset demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy-AIDP) typically presenting with ascending weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes, and sensory deficits. Diagnosis of GBS relies on the results of clinical, electrophysiological, and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) examinations (classically albumin cytological dissociation).