Background: Novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2, predominantly recognized as a respiratory system infection, is currently starting to be considered a neuro-pathogen as well. The hallmark feature is altered mental status, with symptoms ranging from mild confusion to deep coma. Neurological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could also include encephalopathy, stroke, seizures, meningoencephalitis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and myalgias.
Case Presentation: In this case report, a 66-year-old male with known case of type-2 diabetes mellitus was presented to the emergency department with agitation and a decreased level of consciousness. The patient was admitted as a case of viral meningoencephalitis, COVID-19 infection and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Patients DKA was treated with the DKA protocol and the viral meningoencephalitis was treated with Ceftriaxone, Ampicillin, and Acyclovir. Furthermore, the patient was discharged on Favipiravir 800 mg Bis in die (BID), Lorazepam 1 mg TID, Olanzapine 5 mg OD, Aspirin 81 mg OD, and Plavix 75 mg OD.
Conclusion: COVID-19 could lead to encephalitis as a complication in patients that raise inflammatory markers and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. It is associated with risk factors, most commonly being hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic kidney or liver disease, and congestive heart failure.
Key words: coronavirus disease 2019, viral encephalitis, acute encephalopathy, case report
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