Parainfectious autoimmune encephalitis related to SARS-CoV-2 infection, presented with catatonia

Objective SARS-CoV-2 infection commonly affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In this way, different neurological and psychiatric clinical pictures emerge. Whereas the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on neuronal structures in the short and long term are still controversial. Neurological involvement secondary to SARS-CoV-2 is heterogeneous in terms of both clinical presentation and treatment responses and prognosis. Method A case of autoimmune encephalitis developing after SARS-CoV-2 was presented. Results This case was admitted to the clinic with classical catatonia signs and encephalopathy together. The emergence of neuropsychiatric problems after the relief of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, suggests that this picture was primarily related to immune processes. The presented case showed a good clinical response to symptomatic catatonia treatment and immune-modulatory agents and recovered both physically and cognitively without any sequelae. Conclusion In terms of clinical presentation and treatment response, SARS-CoV-2 infection may create a distinct encephalitic involvement after the infection itself by triggering some defined or not-yet-defined autoimmune pathways.