New onset systemic lupus erythematosus after COVID-19 infection: a case report

COVID-19 is a respiratory viral illness that can have life threatening complications. While the short-term sequela of COVID-19, including cytokine storm, is relatively well known, the long-term complications of COVID-19 infection on the immune system is still unknown. There have been some reported cases of autoimmune disease development after COVID-19 infection. We present a patient with a history of COVID-19 infection one month prior who presented with non-specific symptoms including fatigue, malaise, bilateral lower extremity swelling and shortness of breath. His laboratory evaluation and physical exam showed him to be in acute renal failure. Further workup and kidney biopsy results confirmed systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Our patient needed treatment with plasmapheresis and immunosuppressants, and subsequently had significant improvement in his symptoms. We discuss the current 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) diagnostic criteria for SLE and describe plausible mechanisms of COVID-19 induced lupus such as B-cell activation by the virus. We also explore the role of interferons in the potential development of autoimmune diseases after COVID-19 infection and highlight the need for further research in the area.