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Case report
DOI: 10.32415/jscientia_2023_9_5_45-52
EDN: NNOITS
POTENTIALLY FATAL CEREBRAL VENOUS SINUS THROMBOSIS FOLLOWED BY A HEMORRHAGIC STROKE IN A VACCINATED PATIENT: DO NOT RULE OUT COVID-19 AS A REASON
M. K. Mishra , A. Sahu
Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi, India H Mishra Manish Kumar — drmanishmishravmmc@gmail.com
Stroke is amongst the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Majority of strokes are ischemic and up to 1/3rd ischemic strokes have infective etiology. In this post-pandemic era, SARS-CoV-2 is an established infectious agent which can precipitate it by various mechanisms. Though post-vaccination incidence of COVID-19 has dropped drastically, still new cases get reported with typical or atypical presentations. Irrespective of causation, malignant cerebral edema in stroke necessitates salvage neurosurgery. Hereby authors present an interesting diagnostic chase in a young female who presented in altered sensorium, underwent emergency decompressive craniectomy and neurologically recovered over subsequent days. Despite being double vaccinated, she developed potentially fatal COVID-encephalitis, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), ischemic infarcts and hemorrhagic transformation. Suprisingly, there were cross reacting antibodies against antigens of herpes simplex virus (HSV), leptospira and cytomegalovirus (CMV) yielding false positivity on serology screening test, which spoofed us while carrying out infectious disease work up of stroke.
KEYWORDS: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, decompressive craniectomy, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, cross reacting antibody, stroke, hemorrhagic infarct.
FOR CITATION: Mishra MK, Sahu A. Potentially fatal cerebral venous sinus thrombosis followed by a hemorrhagic stroke in a vaccinated patient: Do not rule out COVID-19 as a reason. Juvenis scientia. 2023;9(5):45-52. DOI: 10.32415/jscientia_2023_9_5_45-52.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Клинический случай
DOI: 10.32415/jscientia_2023_9_5_45-52
EDN: NNOITS
ПОТЕНЦИАЛЬНО СМЕРТЕЛЬНЫЙ ТРОМБОЗ ВЕНОЗНОГО СИНУСА ГОЛОВНОГО МОЗГА С ПОСЛЕДУЮЩИМ ГЕМОРРАГИЧЕСКИМ ИНСУЛЬТОМ У ВАКЦИНИРОВАННОЙ ПАЦИЕНТКИ: НЕЛЬЗЯ ИСКЛЮЧАТЬ ЭТИОЛОГИЧЕСКУЮ РОЛЬ
М. К. Мишра © , А. Саху О
Институт медицинских наук Бенаресского индуистского университета, Варанаси, Индия И Мишра Маниш Кумар — drmanishmishravmmc@gmail.com
Острые нарушения мозгового кровообращения входят в число ведущих причин заболеваемости и смертности во всем мире. Большинство инсультов являются ишемическими, причем до 1/3 ише-мических инсультов имеют инфекционную этиологию. В постпандемийный период SARS-CoV-2 относят к числу инфекционных агентов, которые обладают доказанной способностью провоцировать нарушения мозгового кровообращения посредством различных механизмов. Хотя заболеваемость COVID-19 после внедрения вакцинации резко снизилась, по-прежнему регистрируются новые случаи заболевания как с типичными, так и с атипичными проявлениями. Вне зависимости от причины выраженный отек головного мозга при инсульте требует нейрохирургического вмешательства. В настоящей работе авторы представляют интересный с точки зрения диагностического поиска клинический случай молодой женщины, которая поступила в стационар с нарушением сознания, перенесла экстренную декомпрессивную краниэктомию и неврологически выздоровела в последующие дни. Несмотря на проведенную ранее вакцинацию двухкомпонентной вакциной против новой коронавирусной инфекции, у нее развились потенциально смертельный COVID-энцефалит, тромбоз венозного синуса головного мозга, ишемические инфаркты и геморрагическая трансформация. Процесс поиска возможной инфекционной причины инсульта был осложнен наличием у пациентки антител, перекрестно реагирующих против антигенов вируса простого герпеса, лептоспиры и цитомегаловируса, что дало ложноположительные результаты при проведении скрининговых серологических тестов.
КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, декомпрессивная краниэктомия, тромбоз венозного синуса головного мозга, перекрестно реагирующие антитела, инсульт, геморрагический инфаркт.
ДЛЯ ЦИТИРОВАНИЯ: Мишра М.К., Саху А. Потенциально смертельный тромбоз венозного синуса головного мозга с последующим геморрагическим инсультом у вакцинированной пациентки: нельзя исключать этиологическую роль COVID-19 // Juvenis scientia. 2023. Том 9. № 5. С. 45-52. DOI: 10.32415/jscientia_2023_9_5_45-52. EDN: NNOITS.
Эта статья доступна по лицензии Creative Commons «Attribution» («Атрибуция») 4.0 Всемирная.
INTRODUCTION
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has crippled humanity thrice since its inception in December 2019. Surviving amidst fear of its future waves has been new normal. Apart from pneumonia, other sequelae of its spectrum are getting added to literature. The neurological manifestations of COVID-19 span from headache to convulsions, coma and death. Hereby authors present their experience of managing a young patient, who was referred to the neurosurgical unit in unconsciousness state secondary to malignant hemorrhagic venous infarction, earning emergency decompressive craniectomy (DC). Interestingly she had COVID-19 antibodies which cross reacted with antigens of other diseases on serological testing and mislead us while establishing the etiopathology of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and infarct.
CASE REPORT
A 20-year-old unmarried girl was admitted to our center in August 2022. The patient had a history of fever and headache for 10 days, and after onset of convulsions, parents presented her to the hospital. Baseline non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) head had features of vasculitis and hemorrhage in the left medial temporal lobe with effacement of sulci (Fig. 1).
The patient's consciousness on Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was E2V2M4 Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain showed left temporal edema with parieto-occipital hemorrhage with significant midline shift to right (Fig. 2a, 2b).
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) had N-acetylaspartate (NAA) peak (Fig. 3) suggestive of bleed from benign pathology.
There was non-visualization of left transverse sinus in the venogram phase (Fig. 4).
Laboratory parameters of patient's blood and cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) were as of Table 1.
In view of clinical deterioration and imaging suggestive of hemorrhagic infarct with significant mass-effect, the patient was taken up for left decom-pressive craniectomy (DC). She regained consciousness on post-operative day 3. Hemorrhage and cerebral edema had resolution in subsequent scan (Fig. 5).
Figure 1: Axial section of NCCT Head showing left temporal hypo-densities (suggestive of infarct) with effaced sulci and medial temporal hyper-density (suggestive of acute hemorrhage).
Presence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and hemorrhagic infarct in conjunction with triple positive serology (Ig M) against Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), Leptospira & Cytomegalovirus (CMV) rendered us for retrograde history taking and further investigations. Literature was looked into, but none of the articles showed cross-reaction amongst HSV, CMV & Leptospira antibodies yielding positive Ig M serology. PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) for HSV and CMV were negative. Patient had no history of COVID-19 positivity and she had received 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine: COVISHIELD® (Recombinant ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccine, Serum Institute of India) in June 2021 and September 2021. Her nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab specimens were sent for COVID-19 RT-PCR during the afebrile phase of convalescence (23rd day from first symptoms). Both tested negative. Blood and CSF (lumbar puncture) samples were sent afterward for COVID-19 antibody titer (24th day from onset of symptoms). Blood and CSF IgG antibody values (che-miluminescent microparticle immune assay) were
Figure 2a: T2 weighted MRI brain showing left temporal hyper intensity (edema).
>4000 AU/ml (AU: Arbitrary Unit). >50.0 AU/ml biological reference value signified a 'positive' result (post-exposure to COVID-19 or, post-vaccination in 2-3 weeks' time frame). In this semi-quantitative test antibody (Ig G) level was measurable up to 4000 AU/ml in our laboratory. Patient was managed as per the standard post-operative neurosurgical case protocol. Convalescence was uneventful. She was discharged in satisfactory condition (Glasgow Outcome Scale: 5, GCS: E4V5M6).
DISCUSSION
With a global incidence of 13.7 million new cases, stroke is the 2nd leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 87 % of these are ischemic strokesand hemorrhagic transformation is not uncommon. Up to 1/3rd of these ischemic strokes are infective [1]. Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B, HIV, HSV, Chicken pox virus, Toxocara, Toxoplasma, Dengue virus are common infective agents causing infective stroke [2].
CVST is a rare variant of stroke with an annual incidence of 2-5 cases/million population. Female gender, inherited coagulopathy, trauma, malignancy,
Figure 2b: T2 weighted gradient echo MRI brain showing left parieto-occipital blooming (suggestive of hemorrhage) with ipsilateral effaced sulci, chinked left lateral ventricle and mid-line shift to right.
hormonal contraceptives, bacterial meningitis and facial infections are known risk factors [3]. By inducing hypercoaguable state, COVID-19 virus has established itself as an infective risk factor for CVST [3, 4].
Till December 2022, human race has successfully defied 3 soaring waves of COVID-19. The intrinsic property of mutation and genetic drift in Corona-varidae has empowered this virus to cast its curse onto us for long in future. Following development of effective vaccines and subsequent decline in cases, stringent lockdown and other restrictions have been lifted in phase wise manner globally.
Apart from typical Influenza like illness (ILI) symptoms, patients may present with isolated neurological complaints, spanning from headache/ seizure to coma [4]. In a recent meta-analysis over 108,571 diagnosed patients, Nannoni et al. (October, 2020) concluded that 1.4 % of individuals with COVID-19 suffered acute cerebrovascular disease (acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage). Ischemic stroke was more common, patients with COVID-19 and stroke were younger than patients
mmol/L = millimoles/litre, N = neutrophils, L = lymphocytes, M = monocytes, E = eosinophils, B = basophils, pg = microgram, PT = prothrombin time, APTT = activated partial thromboplastin time, INR = international normalized ratio, s = second, HIV = human immunodeficiency virus, HBsAg = hepatitis B surface antigen, Anti HCV = antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus, S. LDH = serum Lactate dehydrogenase, IU = international units, HPF = high power field, ANA = Anti-nuclear antibodies, CRP = C-reactive protein, mg = milligram, FEU = Fibrinogen equivalent unit, pmol = micromole, U = unit, NTU = NovaTec Units, CSF = Cerebrospinal fluid, HSV = Herpes simplex virus, CMV = Cytomegalovirus, Ig = Immunoglobulin.
Table 1
Laboratory parameters of the patient
Hemoglobin 7.2 mmol/L
Hematocrit 37 %
Total Leucocyte Count 13.18 x 109 cells/L
Differential Leucocyte Count N: 88 %, L: 5.7 %, M:6.1 %, E: 0 %, B: 0 %
Platelet count 154 x 109 cells/L
Procalcitonin 0.154 pg/L
PT/APTT/INR 14s/24.7s/0.99
HIV /HBsAg /Anti HCV rapid test (Chromatographic immunoassay) Negative
S. LDH 362IU/L
CSF Cells 147 cells/HPF (N: 20 %, L: 80 %)
CSF Glucose 3.885 mmol/L
CSF Protein 910 mg/L
CSF ANA Negative
CSF Culture (Aerobic) No growth seen at 48 hours of incubation (sterile)
CRP 615 mg/L
D-Dimer 2.016 mg FEU/L
Homocysteine 12.8 pmol/L
Protein C 93 IU/dL
Protein S 1.26 U/mL
Dengue Serology (Ig M/Ig G) Negative
Toxoplasma Serology (Ig M) Negative
Rubella Ig M Serology (Ig M) Negative
Typhi dot Serology (Ig M/Ig G) Negative
Scrub Typhus Serology (Ig M) Negative
HSV 1 & 2 Serology (Ig M) Positive (16.58 NTU)
Leptospira Serology (Ig M) Positive (14.0 U)
CMV Serology (Ig M) Positive (13.20 NTU)
with stroke without infection, female sex was less frequently affected and stroke rate was the highest in Asian population [5].
Aaron S et al. (2022) in their single center study from India on 97 CVST patients during first and second waves of this pandemic, observed that 81 % COVID-as-sociated CVST cases presented with similar semiology, as of our case. Headache (100 %) and seizures (90 %)
without respiratory ILI symptoms, were the presenting complaints. COVID association was established only due to pre-hospitalization virus testing policy, as made mandatory by the Union Government at that time. 90 % of COVID-associated CVST had transverse sinus involvement and hemorrhagic venous infarct. 30 % needed DC. All such patients survived with excellent outcome at 6 months follow up [4].
Figure 3: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) brain showing NAA peak.
Neurologically Herpes simplex virus presents with seizures (38 %). Imaging (NCCT/MRI brain) shows medial temporal infarcts (32 %%) and hemorrhagic conversion (32 %%) [6]. Cytomegalovirus causes neurological damage in newborn. Leptospirosis leads to gross derangement of liver function, coagulopathy and intra-cranial hemorrhage. Cross-reaction amongst HSV, CMV & Leptospira antibodies giving positive Ig M response was missing in literature. However, there were cases showing significant correlation between HSV IgM and COVID-19 Ig G/ Ig M positivity [7] as well as cross-reaction of COVID-19 antibodies with Dengue, Typhus, Lepto-spira and Influenza [8].
Though the vaccine has been highly effective in curbing the pandemic, still it doesn't carry 100 % protective efficacy (PE) against all strains of this disease. Pramod S et al. (2022) in their case-control study have reported the PE of COVISHIELD® between 57 %-74 % in preventing symptomatic/ laboratory-proven COVID-19 and 72 %-100 % in preventing hospitalization and severe infection [9]. In a community based study at UK, Ayoubkhani D et al. (2022) have found that receiving 2 COVID-19 vaccinations was associated with a 41 % decrease in the odds of developing long COVID symptoms. However, double vaccination couldn't prevent the population from getting infected with Omicron variant [10].
Figure 4: Magnetic resonance venogram (MRV) brain showing non-visualization of left transverse sinus.
Figure 5: Post-operative NCCT head showing resolving hemorrhage & edema, normal midline and sulci pattern.
Post-vaccination antibody titer tends to decrease significantly within 90 days [11]. Even immunity acquired by booster vaccination tends to fade fast over next 30 days. An elevated titer indicates recent infection [12].
Table 2
WHO SARS-CoV-2 meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, or CNS vasculitis case definition
Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 detected in CSF or brain tissue! or evidence of SARS-CoV-2-specific intrathecal antibody; and (2) no other explanatory pathogen or cause found
Probable SARS-CoV-2 detected in respiratory or other non-CNS sample, or evidence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody in serum indicating acute infection; and (2) no other explanatory pathogen or cause found
Possible Patient meets suspected case definition of COVID-19 according to national or WHO guidance on the basis of clinical symptoms and epidemiological risk factors; in the context of known community SARS-CoV-2 transmission, supportive features include the following: the new onset of at least one of cough, fever, muscle aches, loss of smell, or loss of taste; lymphopenia or raised D-dimer level; and radiological evidence of abnormalities consistent with infection or inflammation (e.g., ground glass changes)
WHO = World Health Organization, SARS-CoV-2 = Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus- 2.
Our case was diagnosed as confirmed case of "SARS-CoV-2 with neurological disease", as per "WHO COVID-19 case definitions" (Table 2) on the basis of clinical features and COVID-19 antibody positivity in CSF/blood [13].
CONCLUSION
Hereby authors share their experience of diagnostic dilemma faced in this case due to COVID-19 antibodies, which elicited false positivity against CMV, HSV & Leptospira on rapid screening test. Probably this is the first case where COVID-19 antibodies have been reported cross reacting with viral and spirochete antigens. In an unfortunate advent of mutant strain/forth wave in future, any information pertaining to this new disease, could be of immense importance. Authors opine to screen suspected infective
CVST/stroke patients for COVID-19, even if they are vaccinated or lack prodromal symptoms.
Funding: The authors declare no funding.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Compliance with ethical principles: Study was in compliance with the ethical standards developed in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki «Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects», as amended in 2000.
Author contributions: All authors confirm the authorship according to the international criteria of ICMJE (all authors have made substantial contributions to the conception, design, conduct of the study, and preparation of the manuscript, have read and ap-proved the final version for publication).
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AUTHORS [АВТОРЫ]
H Mishra Manish Kumar, Senior Resident Department of Neurosurgery, Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medical Sciences; ORCID: 0000-0003-4916-886X; email: drmanishmishravmmc@gmail. com.
Sahu Anurag, Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medical Sciences; ORCID: 0000-0002-7857-4886.
И Мишра Маниш Кумар, старший резидент кафедры нейрохирургии Института медицинских наук Бенаресского индуистского университета; ORCID: 0000-0003-4916-886X; email: drmanish-mishravmmc@gmail.com.
Саху Анураг, доцент кафедры нейрохирургии Института медицинских наук Бенаресского индуистского университета; ORCID: 0000-0002-78574886.
Received: 17.09.2023 Accepted: 01.10.2023 Published: 30.10.2023
