ABSTRACT
Since COVID-19 vaccination started in December 2020, different side effects were reported. This case report describes the possibility of developing disseminated herpes simplex infection after COVID-19 vaccine in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. In this case report, we describe a 63-year-old Iranian female. She was a known case of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and presented with generalized papulo-pustular itchy and painful skin lesions which appeared about seven days after the second dose of Sinopharm BIBP COVID-19 vaccine (BIBP-CorV). A biopsy of the skin lesions revealed acantholysis, neutrophils, and enlarged keratinocytes with eosinophilic intra-nuclear inclusions. Findings were consistent with herpes simplex infection. She was successfully treated by acyclovir. Disseminated cutaneous herpes simplex infection may have been triggered by COVID-19 vaccination. Reactivation of herpes virus after COVID-19 vaccines was reported in both rheumatic patients and other individuals. Whether having an underlying autoimmune inflammatory disorder could be an additional risk factor is still unknown.
Subject(s)
Arthritis, Rheumatoid , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Herpes Simplex , Skin Diseases , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/complications , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Female , Herpes Simplex/drug therapy , Herpes Simplex/etiology , Herpes Simplex/pathology , Humans , Iran , Middle Aged , Vaccination/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Neutrophilic myositis (NM) is an inflammatory disorder predominantly characterized by neutrophilic infiltration in the muscles, which is suggested to be an extracutaneous manifestation of neutrophilic dermatosis (ND). NM is a rare disorder which has been occasionally reported in association with hematologic and inflammatory disorders. This case report describes a 45-year-old woman who presented with gradual muscle weakness developed after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity findings were compatible with inflammatory myopathy and muscle biopsy revealed neutrophilic infiltration. She was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day and azathioprine 150 mg/day. In conclusion, the COVID-19 infection itself and the drugs used to treat it can cause a number of muscle disorders. Awareness of muscular involvement in COVID-19 infected patients is important for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Myositis , Adrenal Cortex Hormones , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Myositis/drug therapy , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease, which presents with various clinical manifestations. There is growing evidence of an association between COVID-19 infection and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this case report was to demonstrate the association of COVID-19 infection and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Case presentation: A 38 year old Iranian woman presented with progressive icterus, pleuritic chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, photosensitivity and arthralgia 18-days after COVID-19 symptoms proved by a positive polymerized chain reaction (PCR). The chest and abdomen computerized tomography (CT) scan showed pericardial and pleural effusion and enlarged liver and abdominal lymph nodes. Antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (anti-ds DNA) antibody and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (P-ANCA) were positive. She was diagnosed as SLE and was successfully treated with prednisolone 30 mg daily, hydroxychloroquine 200 mg daily and azathioprine 150 mg daily and she remarkably improved. Repeated anti-ds DNA antibody was positive. Due to nausea and abdominal discomfort, azathioprine was discontinued and replaced with mycophenolate mofetil 1500 mg daily. In the article, similar cases were presented;the mean interval between COVID symptoms and SLE presentations was 24.86 days. Pulmonary and renal involvements were the most common presentations of SLE triggered by COVID-19. The most frequently reported autoantibody was ANA Conclusion: It is necessary to be aware of the development of lupus disease in COVID-19 infected patients, because prompt diagnosis and treatment is very important to improve their outcome. © 2021 THE AUTHORS