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Nonuremic Calciphylaxis Precipitated by COVID-19 Infection
Hannah Shuman1, Mark S Obri2, Christina Artz3
1Internal Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, USA.
Cureus
|April 6, 2022
Summary
Calciphylaxis, a rare skin condition, can occur without kidney disease. This case highlights a potential link between severe COVID-19 and nonuremic calciphylaxis, suggesting a new cause for this serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Calciphylaxis is a rare, severe dermatologic condition often linked to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Nonuremic calciphylaxis has been documented in autoimmune and hypercoagulable states.
- COVID-19 is increasingly recognized for its inflammatory and coagulopathic complications.
Observation:
- A 40-year-old female with severe COVID-19 developed painful, necrotic skin lesions on her lower extremities.
- Biopsy confirmed calciphylaxis, despite no history of ESRD or known hypercoagulable disorders.
- The patient had a history of hypertension, alcohol abuse, anxiety, and a prior miscarriage.
Findings:
- This case presents biopsy-proven nonuremic calciphylaxis in a patient with no identifiable cause of hypercoagulability.
- The calciphylaxis developed following severe COVID-19 infection.
- The patient's lesions were characterized by necrosis, eschar, and mottled skin.
Implications:
- COVID-19 may be a potential trigger or contributing factor for nonuremic calciphylaxis.
- Further research is needed to understand the relationship between COVID-19 and calciphylaxis.
- This case expands the known associations of calciphylaxis beyond ESRD and traditional hypercoagulable states.
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