Newly Diagnosed Crohn's Disease After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) commonly presents with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Prolonged diarrhea post-COVID-19 is observed, necessitating investigation into underlying causes.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD), is rarely associated with initial COVID-19 symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosed after persistent diarrhea following COVID-19.
• To highlight the potential link between COVID-19 infection and the onset of CD.
• To emphasize the importance of considering CD in patients with prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms post-COVID-19.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a young male patient with persistent diarrhea after COVID-19.
• Clinical evaluation including ileocolonoscopy to diagnose the cause of chronic diarrhea.
• Initiation of immunosuppressive therapy (prednisolone, azathioprine) for diagnosed Crohn's disease.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced persistent diarrhea for two months post-COVID-19, with initial symptoms including fever and abdominal pain.
• Ileocolonoscopy confirmed a diagnosis of Crohn's disease (CD).
• The patient achieved clinical remission with prednisolone and azathioprine treatment.

Conclusions:

• Persistent diarrhea after COVID-19 may be an indicator of newly developed or exacerbated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), specifically Crohn's disease (CD).
• Immunological dysregulation triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection impacting the gut may contribute to CD onset.
• Ileocolonoscopy should be considered for patients presenting with prolonged diarrhea after COVID-19 to rule out IBD.