A Concomitant Diagnosis of COVID-19 Infection and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated by a Macrophage Activation Syndrome: A New Case Report

    April 2021 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”
    F. Hali, H. Jabri, Soumiya Chiheb, Yassine Hafiani, Afak Nsiri
    TLDR COVID-19 may trigger systemic lupus erythematosus, requiring careful diagnosis and treatment.
    A 25-year-old female with no prior medical history was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and COVID-19, complicated by macrophage activation syndrome (MAS). The patient presented with a rash, myalgias, asthenia, and fever, and was found to have positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA and immunological markers indicative of SLE. The case highlighted the potential for SARS-CoV-2 to trigger SLE, as both conditions share similar cytokine profiles. The patient was treated with steroids and COVID-19 therapy, resulting in clinical improvement. The report emphasized the need for careful diagnosis due to overlapping symptoms and recommended follow-up for accurate SLE/COVID-19 diagnosis.
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