Presentation of COVID-19 infection with bizarre behavior and encephalopathy: a case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current studies show that patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have neurological symptoms manifesting as acute cerebrovascular diseases, impaired consciousness, and skeletal muscle symptoms. Bizarre behavior is an unusual and unique presenting symptom of COVID-19 infection in our patient. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of COVID-19 infection in a middle aged Iranian man without underlying disease who presented with bizarre behavior. Results of brain imaging were normal, but COVID-19 pneumonia was detected on chest computed tomography scan. Given the respiratory problem and positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19, treatment with hydroxychloroquine was administered, and after 2 days all of the symptoms resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Encephalopathy and encephalitis may be a possible presentation of COVID-19. Clinicians and health care providers should consider the presence of COVID-19 with bizarre behavior during this COVID-19 pandemic.