COVID-19-associated damage of the peripheral nervous system

Abstract

Based on the available literature data, the article discusses the prevalence of various forms of damage of the peripheral nervous system in COVID-19 and in the post-COVID period. Information about the clinical features and the course of individual cranial neuropathies, chronic dysimmune neuropathies, Guillain-Barré syndrome, drug-induced neuropathies, fine fiber neuropathy, myasthenia gravis and polyneuropathy of critical conditions was systemized in the context of coronavirus infection. SARS-CoV-2 can trigger various stages of pathogenesis, including neuroimmune ones, which cause long-term consequences of COVID-19, including those associated with the damage of the peripheral nervous system. Awareness of COVID-19-associated pathological conditions will allow assessment of the possible risks of damage of the peripheral nervous system, recognize them at early stages and develop more effective approaches for treatment.