COVID-19 as a trigger for systemic diseases: a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus
Background. COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has profoundly impacted global health since its emergence. Beyond its acute respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 is recognized for its systemic effects, capable of impacting multiple organs and triggering a r...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University: Series Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://ukrmedsci.com/index.php/visnyk/article/view/186 |
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| Summary: | Background. COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has profoundly impacted global health since its emergence. Beyond its acute respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 is recognized for its systemic effects, capable of impacting multiple organs and triggering a range of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. One area of growing concern is the potential of COVID-19 to induce or exacerbate systemic autoimmune-mediated diseases.
Purpose – to analyze the clinical case of a patient diagnosed for the first time with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) following a COVID-19 infection. The study aims to investigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the immune system and explore possible challenges in diagnosis and management strategies to prevent or mitigate autoimmune complications in such patients.
Materials and Methods. The case history of a 27-year-old woman is presented, including complaints of weakness, fever up to 39°C, joint pain, facial and lip swelling, petechial-papular rashes on the face (nasal wings, forehead, chin), and oral ulcers. Differential diagnosis was conducted, leading to the diagnosis of SLE. The course of the disease and associated complications were subsequently analyzed.
Results and discussion. Challenges in diagnosing SLE and its development following COVID-19 infection are described.
Conclusions. COVID-19 has demonstrated its ability to affect the body beyond the respiratory system. Its potential role in triggering autoimmune conditions such as SLE underscores the importance of understanding the connection between infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. The link between COVID-19 and the development or exacerbation of SLE highlights the need for heightened medical vigilance and tailored treatment strategies for vulnerable population groups. |
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| ISSN: | 2313-6693 2313-2396 |