COVID-19 and Acute Lupus Pneumonitis: Diagnostic and Treatment Dilemma

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2020 Jan-Dec:8:2324709620933438. doi: 10.1177/2324709620933438.

Abstract

In this article, we present a case of a young female patient with previously diagnosed lupus pneumonitis, now with a flare and new superimposed COVID-19 infection that was treated with intravenous steroids. On computed tomography scans, she had extensive interstitial lung fibrosis in addition to a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction test requiring 6 L of oxygen via nasal cannula on admission. After administration of methylprednisolone, the patient improved and was weaned off her oxygen requirements and was discharged home.

Keywords: COVID-19; lupus; pneumonia; pneumonitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / immunology
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment
  • Cardiac Tamponade
  • Complement C3 / immunology
  • Complement C4 / immunology
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy
  • DNA
  • Disease Progression
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnostic imaging
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Lupus Nephritis
  • Lymphopenia / etiology
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Mycophenolic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Oxygen Inhalation Therapy
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia / complications*
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumonia / immunology
  • Pneumonia / therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Complement C3
  • Complement C4
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products
  • Glucocorticoids
  • fibrin fragment D
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • DNA
  • Mycophenolic Acid
  • Methylprednisolone