A case of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a 16-year-old female following SARS-COV-2 infection and a systematic review of the literature

A rare case of pediatric ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting as rapid-onset bilateral orbital inflammation leading to compartment syndrome and profound bilateral visual loss

Pediatric-onset anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis is a very rare condition, particularly cases presenting with ophthalmic involvement. We report a case of severe orbitopathy secondary to anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) ANCA-associated vasculitis in an 8-year-old boy with severe autism. Despite emergency interventions and immunosuppressive treatment, the patient suffered profound bilateral vision loss.

COVID-19-induced granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report of a 16-year-old East Asian and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is divided into granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic GPA. It is one of the most severe and potentially fatal autoimmune inflammatory conditions. The etiology and pathology of AAV are complex and poorly understood. Since the onset of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, numerous reports have documented GPA cases following COVID-19, suggesting a potential link between COVID-19 and the development of GPA. This case report discusses a 16-year-old East Asian boy who developed GPA with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage after contracting COVID-19. Additionally, a literature review was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of this disorder.

METHODS

The study involved a retrospective analysis of the data of a case of GPA post-COVID-19 infection, aiming to summarize the clinical characteristics of GPA post-COVID-19 infection through a search of databases (PubMed, Wanfang Data, and CNKI), supplemented by standard searches in Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, and LitCovid, and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the literature.

RESULTS

A total of 12 cases were identified and, when combined with the present case, yielded 13 cases of GPA post-COVID-19 infection, comprising 5 males and 8 females with an average age of (40.6 ± 19.5) years. The interval between COVID-19 infection and the diagnosis of GPA varied from 1 day to 3 months across all cases. Mortality was reported at 7.7% (1/13). The most common clinical manifestations included cough (69.2%) and dyspnea (46.1%). Computed tomography scans revealed ground-glass opacities and multifocal pulmonary nodules. In all cases, positive findings for c-ANCA and protease 3-antibody were observed. Renal involvement was observed in more than half of the patients.

Update on antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody vasculitis in children

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is often organ- or life-threatening in children and impacts them during important periods of psychosocial and physical development. This review covers recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of AAV in children and highlights the ongoing need for funding and increased research collaboration.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent work has improved our understanding of AAV disease pathogenesis, potentially identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Collaborative clinical studies have also highlighted the variable manifestations in children and identified potential factors associated with poorer outcomes. Consensus-based treatment guidelines are also appearing, but clinical trials are still essential to better understanding treatment efficacy and safety in children affected by AAV. New, validated outcome measures, including those that are patient-reported, will facilitate these much-needed clinical trials in pediatric AAV.

SUMMARY

There is a continued need for more rigorous study in pediatric AAV, however, there is certainly excitement with the increase in recent research relevant to the pediatric population.

[Takayasu arteritis after COVID-19 infection in a 26-year-old female patient with Crohn's disease]

Extraintestinal manifestations, e.g. of the skin, joints or liver, are frequently found in Crohn's disease. We report about a 26-year-old female patient with longstanding Crohn's disease, who was admitted to our hospital with suspicion of an acute attack with suggestive symptoms and increased significantly inflammatory parameters. Shortly before, symptomatic COVID-19 disease (SARS-CoV-2 variant omicron) had been made. Comprehensive endoscopic and imaging diagnostics ruled out active Crohn's disease. However, inflammatory thickening of the aortic arch was seen, and a diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis (type II b) was made. Steroid therapy resulted in a rapid and sustained improvement of clinical symptoms. The occurrence of Takayasu arteritis is extremely rare outside Japan. An coincidence has been described in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and is discussed as a possible extraintestinal manifestation. The occurrence of immune-mediated disease after COVID-19 disease has been described and may be triggered by the infection. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may represent a special risk population.

Possible temporal relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: a meta-analysis

The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection has raised concerns about secondary diseases beyond acute illness. This review explores the significance and potential underlying mechanisms of how SARS-CoV-2 infection might elicit an immune response targeting N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and its implications for autoimmune-driven neuropsychiatric manifestations. We identified 19 published case reports of NMDA receptor encephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination by a systematic literature search. The significance of these reports was limited since it is not clear if a coincidental or causal relationship exists between SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination and manifestation of NMDA receptor encephalitis. The included studies were hampered by difficulties in establishing if these patients had pre-existing NMDA receptor antibodies which entered the brain by infection- or vaccination-associated transient blood-brain barrier leakage. In addition, four cases had comorbid ovarian teratoma, which is a known trigger for development of NMDA receptor encephalitis. Considering that billions of people have contracted COVID-19 or have been vaccinated against this virus, the publication of only 19 case reports with a possible link to NMDA receptor encephalitis, indicates that it is rare. In conclusion, these findings do not support the case that SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination led to an increase of existing or de novo encephalitis mediated by an autoimmune response targeting NMDA receptor function. Nevertheless, this work underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance in monitoring viral outbreaks and their potential impact on the central nervous system through basic, epidemiological and translational research.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome in the Setting of Rheumatic Diseases

Patients with established rheumatic disorders may develop complications of macrophage activation syndrome due to severe flares of the underlying disease (adult-onset Still's disease, SLE); however, in most other rheumatic disorders, MAS develops in association with identified viral or other infectious triggers. It is therefore important to pursue appropriate studies to identify potential infectious triggers in rheumatic disease patients who develop MAS. Management is best directed toward treatment of the triggering infections and combinations of high-dose corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and biologic therapies targeting IL-1 and/or IL-6 to suppress the associated cytokine storm.

New-onset ANCA-associated vasculitis presenting with neuropathy after COVID-19 infection: A case report and literature review

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2, which can trigger autoimmune diseases such as antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) that affect small and medium-sized blood vessels in multiple organs. This study discusses a case with neuropathy and positive ANCA after COVID-19 infection and reviews the literature on AAV following COVID-19 infection. A 59-year-old man is presented that was referred to Shariati Hospital for evaluation of neurologic problems after a COVID-19 infection. Initially, he had flu-like symptoms. A few days later, he developed right distal upper and lower limb paresthesia. His electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) results were consistent with polyneuropathy. Lumbar puncture (LP) was normal except for positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient's paresthesia worsened. Laboratory data showed leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytosis, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) was positive. According to the results, vasculitis was the main differential diagnosis. The sural nerve biopsy was performed, and the result was consistent with small to medium-sized vessel vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-induced AAV. He was prescribed methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide and was discharged with prednisolone and cotrimoxazole. In this study, a unique case of AAV induced by COVID-19 infection confirmed by nerve biopsy is presented. A review of the literature found 48 cases of new-onset AAV in adults and pediatrics after COVID-19 infection. Further research is needed to completely understand the relationship between COVID-19.

New insights of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis from the perspective of COVID-19 vaccination

The occurrence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) has been reported since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, but whether there is a causal relationship or coincidence remains to be verified. We combined the term COVID-19 vaccination with each word of AAV to search for case reports and case series published in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases before 13 March 2023. A total of 56 patients who developed AAV after COVID-19 vaccination were identified from 44 research centers. Of the 56 subjects, 43 (76.7%) were vaccinated with the mRNA vaccine, followed by the adenovirus vaccine (14.3%) and inactivated vaccine (9.0%) (P = 0.015). Compared with relapsed AAV, new-onset AAV patients had at least two other diseases previously (P < 0.001). Twenty-five (44.6%) patients presented symptoms after the first injection, and the medium onset time was 12 (1-77) days, while Twenty-eight (50.0%) patients developed symptoms after the second dose, and their medium period was 14 (1-60) days. Forty-four (78.5%) patients achieved remission after immunosuppressive agents, plasma exchange, and hemodialysis. One (1.8%) patient died from progressive respiratory failure and nine (16.1%) did not recover, leaving five patients permanently dependent on hemodialysis. Pathogenic ANCA may be activated by enhanced immune response and epitope spreading after COVID-19 vaccination and induced the occurrence of AAV, especially in genetically susceptible populations.

COVID-19-Induced Eosinophilic Lower Airway Inflammation in Those With Multiple COVID-19 Vaccinations

A 29-year-old woman was admitted with a diagnosis of ischemic enteritis. She had a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection four weeks before this visit and continued to experience a cough. Four months before, she received the third COVID-19 vaccine. Chest computer tomography revealed scattered ground-glass opacities in both upper lobes. Based on abnormalities in chest imaging, eosinophilia, and a high level of fractional exhaled nitric oxide, she was diagnosed with eosinophilic lower airway inflammation due to COVID-19. Since the visit, the patient had an intermittent fever and no radiological improvement, so systemic corticosteroid treatment was initiated, and the symptoms and clinical findings improved. Clinicians should know the potential association between COVID-19 and eosinophilic lower airway inflammation, which may still occur despite multiple vaccinations.

Atypical Immunologic Manifestations of COVID-19: a Case Report and Narrative Review

COVID-19 usually presents with classic signs and symptoms, but it can involve multiple systems in atypical cases. SARS-CoV-2 has a complex interaction with the host immune system leading to atypical manifestations. In our case, a 32-year-old male patient presented with fatigue, sores on hands and feet, headache, productive cough with blood-tinged mucus, conjunctival hyperemia, purpuric rash on hands and feet, and splinter hemorrhages of fingernails for 2 weeks. The patient's SARS-CoV-2 antigen and PCR test were positive. Chest X-ray showed mixed density perihilar opacities in both lungs. Computed tomography of the chest showed extensive airspace opacities in both lungs, suggesting COVID-19 multifocal, multilobar pneumonitis. A renal biopsy indicated limited thrombotic microangiopathy and tubulointerstitial nephritis, for which he was started on steroids, and his renal functions gradually improved. He tested positive for C-ANCA during an immune workup. He was discharged with a steroid taper for nephritis. Once the taper reached less than 10 mg/day, he developed acute scleritis and a new pulmonary cavitary lesion of 6 cm. The biopsy via bronchoscopy revealed acute inflammatory cells with hemosiderin-laden macrophages. He was restarted on systemic steroids for scleritis after failing topical steroids, which incidentally also reduced the size of the cavitary lesion, indicating an immune component. Our case demonstrates the involvement of kidneys and vasculitis of the skin, sclera, and lungs by COVID-19. The patient's symptoms were not explained by any diseases other than COVID-19. Atypical cases of COVID-19 disease with multifocal systemic symptoms involving the skin, sclera, lungs, and kidneys should be high on differentials. Early recognition and intervention may decrease hospital stays and morbidity.

Rheuma nach COVID-19-Infektion oder Impfung

Sowohl nach COVID-Infektion als auch nach ein oder mehreren COVID-Impfungen können rheumatische Beschwerden beginnen. In beiden Fällen scheint der Mechanismus ähnlich zu sein und mit dem Coronavirus oder seinen spezifischen Folgen zusammenzuhängen. Zumeist wird von einer reaktiven Arthritis gesprochen, wenngleich die Bezeichnung COVID-19-assoziierte Arthritis für das Beschwerdebild eher zutreffen dürfte. In Relation zur Zahl der COVID-Infizierten und der COVID-geimpften ist die Zahl der Fälle, in denen es zu COVID-assoziierten Beschwerden kommt, außerordentlich gering und die Prognose scheint eher gut zu sein.

From Co-Infections to Autoimmune Disease via Hyperactivated Innate Immunity: COVID-19 Autoimmune Coagulopathies, Autoimmune Myocarditis and Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children

Neutrophilia and the production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are two of many measures of increased inflammation in severe COVID-19 that also accompany its autoimmune complications, including coagulopathies, myocarditis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). This paper integrates currently disparate measures of innate hyperactivation in severe COVID-19 and its autoimmune complications, and relates these to SARS-CoV-2 activation of innate immunity. Aggregated data include activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors, NOD leucine-rich repeat and pyrin-domain-containing receptors (NLRPs), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma-differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA-5). SARS-CoV-2 mainly activates the virus-associated innate receptors TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, NLRP3, RIG-1 and MDA-5. Severe COVID-19, however, is characterized by additional activation of TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR5, TLR6, NOD1 and NOD2, which are primarily responsive to bacterial antigens. The innate activation patterns in autoimmune coagulopathies, myocarditis and Kawasaki disease, or MIS-C, mimic those of severe COVID-19 rather than SARS-CoV-2 alone suggesting that autoimmunity follows combined SARS-CoV-2-bacterial infections. Viral and bacterial receptors are known to synergize to produce the increased inflammation required to support autoimmune disease pathology. Additional studies demonstrate that anti-bacterial antibodies are also required to account for known autoantigen targets in COVID-19 autoimmune complications.