Systemic sclerosis following COVID-19 infection with recurrent corticosteroid-induced scleroderma renal crisis.
BMJ Case Rep
; 16(3)2023 Mar 17.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2253868
ABSTRACT
Systemic sclerosis is a complex multisystem connective tissue disease resulting in fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Exposure to corticosteroids can trigger scleroderma renal crisis, a life-threatening complication of the disease. Autoimmune disease following infection with COVID-19 is being increasingly recognised. The mechanisms of post-COVID-19 autoimmunity are likely multifactorial, involving immune dysregulation, molecular mimicry and the development of cross-reactive antibodies. There are currently only two reported cases of systemic sclerosis occurring post-COVID-19 infection.We present the case of a female patient who developed systemic sclerosis post-COVID-19 infection. Following exposure to corticosteroids, the patient developed scleroderma renal crisis complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy, seizures and acute renal failure. Despite an antibody profile not typically associated with renal crisis (anti-topoisomerase positive, anti-RNA-polymerase III negative), the patient developed recurrent renal crisis with repeated exposure to corticosteroid therapy, highlighting the risk of steroid use in all patients with systemic sclerosis.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Scleroderma, Localized
/
Scleroderma, Systemic
/
Acute Kidney Injury
/
COVID-19
/
Hypertension, Renal
Type of study:
Case report
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
English
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bcr-2022-253735
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