NEUROMUSCULAR MANIFESTATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS OF COVID-19 INFECTION

Abstract

In this paper, various neuromuscular manifestations of coronavirus infection are considered and methods of damage to the nervous system are highlighted. These include the "cytokine storm", impaired hemostasis, neurotropicity and neurovirulence of SARS-CoV-2. The persistence of the virus in the body affects the course of comorbid diseases, which requires a systematic approach to patient treatment. In this paper we discuss the data from modern research papers and clinical cases both from updated international literature and from our own clinical practice: it is the most frequently met condition - Guillain-Barré syndrome – acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. We present both rare and common neuro-muscular conditions, their clinical onset, possible pathogenesis, variants of manifestation. According to the data from current publications, the evaluation and management of patients suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with new coronaviral infection SARS-CoV-2 is does not have major differences with the classical ones, that are not associated with the pandemic. Our patient that we present as our own case, was hospitalized, and observed as an in-patient. She was treated using plasma exchange in the algorithm of management. The outcome of this case was positive. We conclude that neuromuscular manifestation of new coronaviral infection SARS-CoV-2 could be new and possibly associated with this disease, but also could be described as worsening of the premorbid disorders. For instance, inherited neuromuscular diseases could have different variants during the period of pandemic caused by novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection.