LAUSR

ated with viral-induced brain-reactive autoantibodies production. Severance et al. found a higher level of immunoglobulin G against four different human coronavirus strains in adults diagnosed with psychosis versus controls. An interesting aspect of the case reported is the concomitant occurrence of the psychotic episode and the pulmonary thromboembolism, as both thrombotic phenomena and neuropsychiatric symptoms have been recently described as potential sequelae of the inflammatory storm and the immunoreactivity associated with COVID-19. 8 The hypothesis of the occurrence of psychosis as an adverse reaction to some of the treatments used for COVID-19, such as hydroxychloroquine or corticosteroids, was also considered but found improbable, as no temporary correlation existed between these treatments’ administration and the onset of psychosis, with more than a 2-week period between the two events. In fact, in a review of adverse reactions reported in chloroquinetreated patients between 2012 and 2019, no statistically significant reporting of psychosis was found. Overall, the current case report illustrates the possibility of a psychosis break as a COVID-19 clinical presentation. Though its underlying mechanisms are still unknown, the existing evidence from scientific literature suggests a potential participation of inflammatory and autoimmunologic phenomena triggered as a response to the coronavirus infection. More investigation on the basis of neuropsychiatric complications of COVID-19, such as onset of psychosis, is needed to ratify this hypothesis. The patient provided informed consent and his anonymity has been preserved. This report confirms the new clinical and management challenges for professionals and the Mental Health Network.