Rapidly evolving Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease in COVID-19: from early status epilepticus to fatal outcome

Abstract

We report the case of a 70-year-old man coming to our attention for new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) in a rapidly evolving CJD during SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. Our case report describes a fulminant CJD evolution associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which led to patient death after 15 days from admission. First EEG presented continuous diffuse spikes, sharp waves and sharp-and-slow wave complexes, pattern consistent with a non-convulsive status epilepticus (NORSE). Our case supports how CJD with SARS-CoV-2 co-infection could be characterized by an accelerated evolution, as already hypothesize for others microorganism infections, and how the diagnosis might be more challenging due to its uncommon presentations, such as NORSE.

Introduction

Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease (CJD) may be challenging to diagnose, in particular in COVID-19 era [1]. Usually, the initial course of the disease is characterized by a subtle onset of psychiatric and neurological symptoms, with most of patients experiencing depression, anxiety, nervousness, autonomic disturbances, disruption of sleep–wakefulness rhythm, gait alterations, ataxia and myoclonus [2, 3]. Seizures are not a common manifestation in the first phase of the disease, and status epilepticus is rare, while still remaining possible [4]. Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in patients with confusion may be difficult to differentiate from non-epileptic encephalopathies, potentially leading to a wrong diagnosis [5]. We report the case of a 70-year-old right-handed patient coming to our attention for new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) in a rapidly evolving CJD during SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.

Case report

In the 40 days before the admission, the patient experienced non-specific ailment. The first complains were related to motor symptoms, including inability to sign, compromised coordination and paresis to the right leg. Owing to these initial symptoms, the patient was evaluated by a private practicing neurologist who prescribed a MRI scan, which reported no abnormalities. In the meantime, neurological symptoms rapidly worsened, including speech impairments, dystonia and myoclonus. Hence, the patient was admitted to the emergency department (ED). Neurological evaluation showed a mild right hemiparesis, non-fluent speech and bilateral myoclonus augmented by startle. A brain CT scan was performed, showing no acute alterations. Since the screening nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 previous to admission resulted positive, the patient was diverted to the COVID-19 ward. Comprehensive metabolic panel did not show abnormalities, while chest radiography showed mild bilateral interstitial pneumonia requiring low oxygen inspired fraction support. An EEG was performed, showing continuous diffuse spikes, sharp waves and sharp-and-slow wave complexes, pattern consistent with a non-convulsive status epilepticus (NORSE) (Fig. 1A). The patient was treated with 10 mg Diazepam e.v. with a complete resolution of the abnormal electric activity but without a clinical improvement (Fig. 1B). An antiepileptic therapy with Levetiracetam 3000 mg daily was started. The following day, EEG tracings showed the abnormal pattern previously recorded consistent with status epilepticus. Diagnosis of NORSE was made and an additional antiepileptic treatment with valproic acid 2400 mg daily was started, without clinical response. Based on the clinical history of a rapidly progressive dementia with epileptic seizures, a prion disorder or an autoimmune encephalitis were suspected and a lumbar puncture was performed. Standard CSF analysis showed only a mild glycorrhachia and further tested for autoimmune encephalitis, neurodegeneration markers and for RT-QuIC (Table 1). A trained neuroradiologist re-evaluated the first MRI scan and highlighted the presence of a diffuse cortical ribboning in DWI (Fig. 1C). An empirical therapy with high dose Methylprednisolone 1 g daily was started. In the following days, periodic triphasic complexes were observed at EEG consistent with the diagnosis of CJD (Fig. 1D). The clinical condition of the patient rapidly evolved into akinetic mutism and coma, leading to his death in two weeks. The RT-QuIC results confirmed the probable diagnosis of CJD.

Fig. 1.

EEG raw data and MRI assessment. (A) EEG at admission which showed continuous diffuse spikes, sharp waves and sharp-and-slow wave complexes, pattern consistent with a NCSE. (B) EEG after 10 mg Diazepam ev infusion with resolution of epileptic activity. (C) DWI MRI assessment in ganglionic and supraganglionic plane that highlighted the presence of cortical ribboning. (D) EEG after 12 days from admission showed the presence of periodic triphasic sharp-wave complexes consistent with the diagnosis of CJD

Table 1.

Cerebrospinal fluid analysis and degeneration markers

	Laboratory results	Reference range
Aspect	Clear	–
Color	Colorless	–
Glucose	112.0 mg/dL	40.0–70.0
Proteins	42.3 mg/dL	15.0–45.0
CSF/blood Glucose	0.5	0.5–0.6
White blood cells	0 WBC/µL	< 5
Autoimmune encephalitis antibodies research	Negative	–
Tau-T	> 2000 pg/mL	146–410
Tau-P	59.9 pg/mL	21.5–59.0
Amyloid-β 1–42	513 pg/mL	725–1777
Amyloid-β 1–40	9667 pg/mL	7755–16715
AB42/AB40	0.053	0.068–0.115
SARS-CoV-2	Negative	–

Discussion

CJD is a lethal condition with a survival expectancy of about 1 year from symptoms onset and 4 months post diagnosis [3]. Our case report describes a fulminant CJD associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, which led to patient death after 15 days from the ED admission. To the best of our knowledge, only one study has previously reported a patient with rapidly progressive CJD with COVID-19 concomitant infection, suggesting a role of SARS-CoV-2 in spurring the progression of prion spreading [6]. This case report is in line with previous observations supporting the implication of SARS-CoV-2 as a co-factor in accelerating the progression of CJD, as already hypothesized also for other microorganisms [8]. However, the demonstration of cause-effect correlation cannot be proved by case reports. In addition, in our case NORSE presented as an atypical manifestation of early CJD. We hypothesized that this atypical presentation could be associated to systemic inflammatory changes, potentially leading to blood–brain damage, altered cerebral electric homeostasis and abnormal neurotransmission lowering the epileptic threshold [9]. Recent studies showed the role of SARS-CoV-2 in favoring the initiation of protein aggregation (including Aβ, α-synuclein, tau, prion, and TDP-43 RRM) leading to neurodegeneration [7] and a link between neurodegeneration and cerebral inflammation. Indeed, high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are linked to a faster progression for a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer Disease, and fronto-temporal dementia [10–12]. Increased levels of IL-13 and TNF-α have been found to be associated to Alzheimer’s Disease, with the highest levels in rapidly progressive forms (rpAD) [13]. Similarly to other viral infections like Dengue fever or Ebola [14, 15], COVID-19 is characterized by a cytokine storm with increased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α [16] and we can speculate that an increased levels cytokines may contribute to the rapid progression. Unfortunately, in our patient, we didn’t perform a cytokines panel which could have supported our hypothesis of neuroinflammation leading to accelerated neurodegeneration.

Conclusions

Taken together, these observations lead to two major concerns. First, CJD with SARS-CoV-2 co-infection could be characterized by an accelerated evolution. Second, in this type of patients, CJD diagnosis might be more challenging due to its uncommon presentations, such as NORSE.

Funding

This study did not receive any funding.

Declarations

Conflict of interest

None.