A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Manifestation Following COVID-19

A Case of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Manifestation Following COVID-19
Mohammad Shayestehpour,^1,* Batol Zamani,²
1. Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
2. Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Introduction: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and challenging autoimmune disease. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a novel viral agent that can cause a life-treating respiratory disorder named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19). Association between SARS‑CoV‑2 and SLE is not clear. We reported the first case of SLE manifestation following COVID-19.
Methods: A 39-year-old man with complaints of fever, scaling on the palms of the hands and feet, lower extremity edema, and ankle swelling was referred to Kashan Rheumatology Clinic in 2020. Primer Laboratory tests, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR). Computed tomography (CT) of the chest we performed.
Results: He was infected with SARS-CoV-2 two months ago. The patients had proteinuria and was positive for SLE laboratory tests. After one week of treatment with prednisolone (30mg daily) and hydroxychloroquine, paresthesia, proteinuria, and edema continued. The patient was treated with pulse methylprednisolone (1000 mg for three consecutive days), gabapentin and vitamin B (300mg daily), which reduced paresthesia.
Conclusion: This is the first case of SLE manifestation following COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 may produce autoantibodies or develops the clinical features of subclinical SLE.
Keywords: Autoantibodies, Autoimmune Diseases, COVID-19, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus