Acute-onset Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy Complicating SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Ad26.COV2.S Vaccination: Report of Two Cases

Background: The spectrum of reported neurological sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 is continuously expanding, immune mediated neuropathies like Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and exacerbations of preexisting chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) being among them. However, respective cases of acute onset CIDP (A-CIDP) are rare.

Case Presentation: We hereby report two cases of A-CIDP after COVID-19 infection and Ad26.COV2.S vaccination that presented with flaccid paraparesis and acroparesthesias (Case presentation 1; female, 52) and facial diplegia accompanied by acroparesthesias (Case presentation 2; male, 62), respectively. In both instances clinical, neurophysiological and CSF findings were indicative of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, thus both patients were initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulins resulting in clinical improvement. Nevertheless, the first patient relapsed 5 weeks after the initial episode, thus was diagnosed with GBS with treatment related fluctuations (GBS-TRF) and treated successfully with seven plasma exchange (PLEX) sessions. However, 11 weeks from symptom onset she relapsed again. Taking into account that the second relapse occurred more than 8 weeks after the first episode, the potential diagnosis of A-CIDP was reached and oral dexamethasone 40 mg/d for 4 consecutive days every 4 weeks was administered. With regards to the second patient, he relapsed > 8 weeks after the initial episode, thus was also diagnosed with A-CIDP and treated with 7 PLEX sessions followed by similar to the aforementioned corticosteroid therapy. On 2 month follow-up both patients exhibited remarkable clinical improvement.

Conclusions: Close surveillance of patients presenting with immune neuropathies in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection or immunization is crucial for timely implementation of appropriate treatment. Prompt A-CIDP distinction from GBS-TRF is of paramount importance as treatment approach and prognosis between these two entities differ.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41983-022-00515-4.