A Rare Case of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Transverse Myelitis in a 40-Year-Old Patient With COVID-19.

ABSTRACT

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) includes an extensive spectrum of clinical manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Previous studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 often exhibits central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, including encephalitis, meningitis, and spinal cord pathologies. To date, few cases of COVID-19-associated transverse myelitis (TM) have been described. A 40-year-old unvaccinated man with no significant medical history presented to the emergency department complaining of fever, worsening burning sensation in his lower extremities, unsteady gait, and difficulty initiating urination for five days. Twelve days before presentation, the patient had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Physical examination revealed hyperesthesia, starting around the nipple line (T4) and extending distally, involving the lower extremities, accompanied by symmetric weakness in the lower extremities. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine with and without contrast revealed mild intramedullary signal abnormality at T3-T4 and T6-T8, confirming the suspicion of TM. Further laboratory testing revealed a C-reactive protein level of 67 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase level of 181 mg/L, serum B12 level of 781 pg/mL, methylmalonic acid level of 165 nmol/L, folate of >24.5 ng/mL, and thyroid-stimulating hormone level of 0.481 µIU/L. Lumbar puncture was performed, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a cell count of 14 cells/µL, with 69% lymphocytes, glucose level of 81 mg/dL, protein level of 32 mg/dL, and negative cultures. Human immunodeficiency virus, antinuclear antibody screening, anti-DNA, rapid plasma reagin, Lyme serology, anti-SSA, and anti-SSB antibodies were unremarkable. Serum aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G was negative, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies were positive. The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and oral gabapentin and was discharged after five days when his urinary retention improved. Most previously reported cases of COVID-19-related TM were negative for autoimmune workup. Although the exact pathophysiology of COVID-19-related TM remains unclear, one hypothesis suggests that it is a consequence of the direct viral invasion. However, our patient had MOG antibodies, suggesting the possible involvement of a different mechanism. In MOG-associated TM, it has been suggested that MOG antibodies gain access to the CNS through disruption of the blood-brain barrier. This unique presentation demonstrates that further studies are needed to understand the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the immune and nervous systems. It also highlights that young and otherwise healthy patients are at risk of severe COVID-19-related complications, including CNS disorders.