Positive Health Online

Abstract

ADAMCZYK-SOWA and COLLEAGUES, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland. msowa@sum.edu.pl ; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland; Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Oncological Laryngology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland conducted a review, focussing on the currently known neurological manifestations of COVID 19, which could be considered mainly in asymptomatic patients with COVID 19 and, if noted, may limit the transmission of coronavirus infection.

 

Background

Numerous experimental and clinical studies have proven that the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV 2) has a tropism for the nervous system. The infection of the nervous system by SARS CoV 2 can occur via the nasal route through trans synaptic pathways. Coronaviruses can infect neurons and glial cells through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 receptors or by endocytosis.

Methodology

The infection of the central nervous system accompanied by coronavirus disease 2019-related systemic inflammation leads to the impairment of the blood-brain barrier and triggers a neuroinflammatory response with reactive astrogliosis and microglial activation. In addition, brain stem cells are being damaged, which results in respiratory distress.

Results

Apart from typical symptoms of COVID 19 associated with the involvement of the respiratory system, neurological manifestations such as headache, dizziness, myalgia, anosmia, ageusia [loss of taste functions of the tongue], encephalopathy, encephalitis, stroke, epileptic seizures, rhabdomyolysis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome are related to SARS CoV 2 infection.

Conclusion

In this review, we focused on the currently known neurological manifestations of COVID 19, which could be considered mainly in asymptomatic patients with COVID 19 and, if noted, may limit the transmission of coronavirus infection.  Comment in Neurologic manifestations of COVID-19. Authors' reply.

References

Adamczyk-Sowa M, Jaroszewicz J. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021 Feb 26;131(2):208-209. doi: 10.20452/pamw.15840. Epub Feb 26 2021 .

Neurologic manifestations of COVID-19. Finsterer J, Scorza FA. Pol Arch Intern Med. 2021 Feb 26;131(2):208. doi: 10.20452/pamw.15839. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Monika Adamczyk-Sowa, Natalia Niedziela, Katarzyna Kubicka-Bączyk, Krzysztof Wierzbicki, Jerzy Jaroszewicz, Paweł Sowa. Neurological symptoms as a clinical manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019: implications for internists. Pol Arch Intern Med. ;131(1):54-62. Jan 29 2021.  doi: 10.20452/pamw.15575. Epub Aug 21 2020