COVID-19 in a Patient Treated for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Persistent Viral Shedding with No Cytokine Storm
  • Pascale Daniel
    Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Marc Raad
    Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Rami Waked
    Department of Infectious Diseases, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Jacques Choucair
    Department of Infectious Diseases, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Moussa Riachy
    Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Fady Haddad
    Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Hotel-Dieu de France University Hospital, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon

Keywords

eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, rituximab

Abstract

Introduction: The coronavirus disease COVID-19 is considered a pandemic disease that has developed rapidly all over the world. As of today, it is unclear whether immunosuppression confers an increased risk for pulmonary complications, or conversely, whether it can be a protective factor with respect to a cytokine storm. 
Case description: We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis treated with rituximab who was infected with COVID-19 pneumonia. To the best of our knowledge, only 1 case has been reported in the literature with similar characteristics. The patient had a non-classic evolution of clinical symptoms with persistent fever and viral shedding, in addition to a negative serology.
Conclusion: This case emphasizes the management and immunity response to COVID-19 pneumonia in such patients. Data are still needed regarding patients who have prolonged B-cell depletion, which may put the patient at a higher risk for reinfection.

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    Published: 2020-09-24
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 10 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Daniel P, Raad M, Waked R, Choucair J, Riachy M, Haddad F. COVID-19 in a Patient Treated for Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis: Persistent Viral Shedding with No Cytokine Storm. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001922.