Post COVID-19 Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Optic Neuritis

ABSTRACT

Neurological manifestations of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are relatively common. Although some may be consequences of direct cellular viral invasion (neurotropism), many represent post-infectious inflammation mediated by autoimmune mechanisms. We herein report the case of a 69-year-old diabetic male who presented with bilateral sub-acute, progressive loss of vision 45 days after suffering a presumed SARS-CoV-2 related pneumonia. He had bilateral optic disc oedema. Magnetic resonance imaging showed uniform contrast enhancement of both optic nerves without spinal cord involvement. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG antibodies. He was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone for 5 days. The optic disc oedema resolved within 6 weeks with improvement in visual acuity, although optic atrophy developed by week 16. The MOG-IgG antibody test turned negative after 24 weeks.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• SARS-CoV-2
• myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)
• optic neuritis

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The patient provided written informed consent for the use of his medical history and images in this publication.

Declaration of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.