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New-onset refractory status epilepticus due to autoimmune encephalitis after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2: First case report

BackgroundVaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been conducted frequently to limit the pandemic but may rarely be associated with postvaccinal autoimmune reactions or disorders. Case presentationWe present a 35-year-old woman who developed fever, skin rash, and headache 2 days after the second SARS-CoV...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in neurology 2022, Vol.13, p.946644-946644
Main Authors: Werner, Jana, Brandi, Giovanna, Jelcic, Ilijas, Galovic, Marian
Format: Report
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:BackgroundVaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been conducted frequently to limit the pandemic but may rarely be associated with postvaccinal autoimmune reactions or disorders. Case presentationWe present a 35-year-old woman who developed fever, skin rash, and headache 2 days after the second SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer/Biontech). Eight days later, she developed behavioral changes and severe recurrent seizures that led to sedation and intubation. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed swelling in the (para-) hippocampal region predominantly on the left hemisphere and bilateral subcortical subinsular FLAIR hyperintensities. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a lymphocytic pleocytosis of 7 cells/μl and normal protein and immunoglobulin parameters. Common causes of encephalitis or encephalopathy such as viral infections, autoimmune encephalitis with well-characterized autoantibodies, paraneoplastic diseases, and intoxications were ruled out. We made a diagnosis of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) due to seronegative autoimmune encephalitis. The neurological deficits improved after combined antiepileptic therapy and immunomodulatory treatment including high-dose methylprednisolone and plasma exchange. ConclusionsAlthough a causal relationship cannot be established, the onset of symptoms shortly after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine suggests a potential association between the vaccination and NORSE due to antibody-negative autoimmune encephalitis. After ruling out other etiologies, early immunomodulatory treatment may be considered in such cases.
ISSN:1664-2295
1664-2295
DOI:10.3389/fneur.2022.946644