2023-10-01 07:54:10
A new research paper has shown an association between some Covid-19 infections and a case of prion disease, a type of “rapidly progressive dementia,” according to what was published by the British newspaper The Independent, citing the American Journal of Case Reports.
Rapidly progressive dementia
The case study details what happened to a 62-year-old man who was admitted to a New York hospital, Mount Sinai Queens Hospital Center, after having difficulty walking and showing signs of rapidly progressive dementia.
“possible association”
“Clinically, the ‘patient’ suffered deterioration in neurological function after testing positive for Covid-19 upon arrival at the hospital,” the paper stated.
He was eventually diagnosed with prion disease, and his condition raised questions about whether COVID-19 caused the disease. Researchers say the conditions provide evidence of a “potential link” between Covid and neurodegenerative conditions.
Types of prion disease
There are several types of prion disease, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and they are extremely rare, with only about 300 cases of the disease reported in the United States annually. The most common type in humans is called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Prion diseases occur after the normal prion protein, found on the surface of cells, becomes abnormal. It eventually forms a mass in the brain and causes brain damage, which can lead to personality changes, poor memory, and difficulties with movement. Prion diseases are classified as fatal.
Causes, symptoms and treatment
Some people may be more susceptible to prion disease, including, for example, people with a family history of the condition, or people who have been infected through contaminated medical equipment. It is known that thoroughly cleaning medical equipment can prevent illness.
Aside from dementia, symptoms include changes in gait or difficulty walking, hallucinations, confusion, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and difficulty speaking. There is no cure for prion disease, although some medications can be taken to slow the progression of the disease. Treatment focuses on reducing patients’ discomfort as their disease progresses.
People who become infected with prion disease often need help after it occurs; They may be able to live on their own for a while, but eventually they will need to move to a senior care facility.
Loss of ability to speak
About three weeks after the patient mentioned in the new case report was admitted to the hospital, he became “progressively mute” and began having difficulty swallowing. He soon needed a feeding tube, and also became “convulsive with severe pain.” The patient died three weeks later.
The fourth case after the pandemic
The researchers said that it is not the first confirmed case of prion disease after infection with Covid-19, as it has previously occurred at least three other times since the virus appeared.
Complications of Corona infection
Experts say that complications from Covid-19 infection, whether those that are already commonly known, such as long Covid, or those that have not yet been identified, are another reason to stay up to date on developments in the virus and its mutant strains, along with the development of Covid vaccines. As vaccines can protect all eligible people from deteriorating conditions, hospitalization, and other bad outcomes. (Arabic)
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