Sars-cov-2, covid-19 and epilepsy

Abstract

In December 2019, it was reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan an epidemic outbreak of viral pneumonia associated with a new coronavirus, later called coronavirus (CoV) type 2 related with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (SARS-CoV-2), the causal agent of the COVID-19 disease (coronavirus disease 2019). Despite being considered viruses with tropism for the respiratory tract, the ability to invade the nervous system and potentially cause neurological disease or it decom-pensation is currently recognized to them. Regarding to epilepsy or acute symptomatic seizures, the literature is scarce with only few reported clinical cases, but which still allow some theoretical pathophysiological extrapolations. In the current pandemic context, it becomes essential to redefine the approaches of patients with suspected epilepsy and epileptic seizures, especially regarding to their diagnosis and treatment. This article aims to review the knowledge and current approaches published in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection.