Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 10, 2021

Cerebrospinal Fluid in COVID-19: A Systematic Review of the Literature

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A systematic review of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing for potential viral neuroinvasion in patients with COVID-19 showed that among 303 patients who had CSF SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing, 16 (5%) were positive, and 75% of these positive patients were hospitalized due to neurological symptoms. The authors concluded that detection of SARS-CoV-2 in CSF via PCR is rare, and neurological complications associated with SARS-CoV-2 are likely not related to direct neuroinvasion.

Lewis et al. (Jan 10, 2021). Cerebrospinal Fluid in COVID-19: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117316