[COVID-19 infection with tracheobronchomalacia: a case report]

Viral infection is an important component of the environmental factors that contribute to the production of autoimmune antibodies and autoimmune diseases. There is considerable evidence that COVID-19 patients are more likely to develop several types of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, some researchers hypothesize that COVID-19 infection may trigger the autoimmune response in genetically susceptible individuals. This article presents a case of COVID-19 infection with tracheobronchomalacia. The possible relationship between the pathogenesis of tracheobronchial chondritis and COVID-19 infection is discussed in this article. Respiratory physicians should be aware of the possible relationship between COVID-19 infection and autoimmune disease, and then make better clinical decisions for these patients.