Meningitis is one of the known neurological symptoms associated with Long COVID. A recent study has found that, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a resurgence of invasive meningococcal disease in France is raising concerns among researchers.
Meningitis is typically caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites, with bacterial meningitis being particularly severe. Invasive meningococcal disease, caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, is a rare but serious illness that can be fatal within a few hours. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. This disease can lead to swelling of the tissues around the brain, known as meningitis, or bloodstream infection. It can spread through close contact with individuals carrying these bacteria in their nose and throat.
Invasive meningococcal disease is often difficult to diagnose, and doctors tend to employ a variety of antibiotics in the treatment of suspected cases in patients to reduce the risk of dying. However, up to one-fifth of survivors may experience disabilities, including loss of limb(s), deafness, issues of the nervous system, and brain damage.
In a news release, Samy Taha, the lead author of the aforementioned research paper, outlined that in the fall of 2022, there was an unprecedented rebound in cases of invasive meningococcal disease. By the fall of 2023, the number of cases had even surpassed the levels observed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to the 298 cases recorded from January to September in 2019, there have already been 421 cases documented during the same period in 2023. The number of cases has increased by 36 percent even though the winter peak is yet to come. For reference, the figure for the same period in 2021 was 53 cases.
The strains currently causing invasive meningococcal disease differ from those that were prevalent before the pandemic. Samy Taha stated, “It is almost as if the COVID-19 epidemic has reset the entire system.”
Muhamed-Kheir Taha, the co-lead author of the paper, concluded that the mortality rate for untreated bacterial meningitis cases is “virtually 100 percent.” Even with proper treatment, the mortality rate remains up to 10 percent, underscoring the importance of vaccination.
The study also mentioned that France, England, and Wales had already exhibited this rebound trend by the end of 2021.
Symptoms and Prevention of Invasive Meningococcal Disease
According to data from the San Francisco Department of Public Health, symptoms of invasive meningococcal disease include high fever (over 104 F or 40 C), headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, rash, sensitivity to light, mental confusion, and sleepiness.These symptoms may appear within a few hours and typically last for one to two days. However, infants usually do not exhibit the aforementioned symptoms—instead, they might become excessively sleepy, not eat well, or become irritable. If such symptoms arise, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention.
Meningitis as a Symptom of Long COVID
Viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis. A study published in the JAMA Psychiatry in May found that even mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 can lead to long-term inflammation in the brain.In this case-control study, 20 participants who experienced persistent depression and cognitive symptoms after mild to moderate COVID-19 infection underwent positron emission tomography scans. The results revealed that, compared to the healthy control group, these patients exhibited elevated gliosis in the brain, indicating an inflammatory change.
Dr. Jeffrey Meyer, a senior researcher at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Canada and one of the authors of the study, stated in a press release “Inflammation in the brain was suspected of being the critical step in causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms of long COVID ...” Confirming this is crucial for the development of relevant treatment methods.
Dr. Chuang Yuan-cheng, a resident neurosurgeon at the Heping Fuyou Branch of Taipei City Hospital in Taiwan, stated in a press release that the brain and nervous tissues in a normal human body are intricately protected by the blood-brain barrier, preventing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses from entering. However, the COVID-19 virus can induce inflammation in tissues, creating openings for it to invade the central nervous system, leading to conditions like encephalitis, meningitis, and myelitis.
Dr . Ya-Chun Wu, a resident neurologist at the same hospital, also noted that among all post-COVID-19 sequelae, neurological symptoms are estimated to account for 80 percent. More severe complications, such as encephalitis and myelitis, tend to appear within a week after contracting the COVID-19 virus.
