SARS-CoV-2 Neurotropism in a 12-Year-Old Filipino Boy with Focal Encephalitis

Abstract

coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there been reports of neurological manifestations of COVID-19, mostly in adults, albeit with a few cases described in children Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may in-duce neurological damage. There is emerging supporting neurotropism and neuroinvasion in COVID-19, with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the cerebrospinal fluid positive results 13% of and pediatric of the discusses a case of focal encephalitis presenting with seizure and altered mental status following fever and mild respiratory illness associated with COVID-19. A notable aspect of this case was the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the CSF, despite its absence in two consecu-tive nasopharyngeal swab specimens. Written in-formed consent for publication was obtained from the