COVID-19 Pneumonia Followed by Anti-signal Recognition Particle Antibody-positive Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Disease

Intern Med. 2023 May 1;62(9):1323-1328. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.8877-21. Epub 2023 Feb 8.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and is frequently accompanied by various sequelae. Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are observed in COVID-19 pneumonia patients after recovery, probably due to persistent inflammation in the lungs. We herein report a case of ILD with anti-signal recognition particle antibodies following severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The patient was diagnosed with ILD three months after COVID-19 pneumonia. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the autoantibody-induced immune response might have been the pulmonary fibrosis trigger in this patient.

Keywords: COVID-19; anti-SRP antibody; interstitial lung disease; pulmonary fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / complications
  • COVID-19* / pathology
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / diagnosis
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Signal Recognition Particle

Substances

  • Signal Recognition Particle