Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Associated With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2

SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN): a systematic review and two case reports

BACKGROUND

It has been observed that SARS-CoV-2 infections are associated with the development of various de-novo autoimmune diseases; little is known on new-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN) after SARS-CoV-2 infections.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of previously reported cases with a presumed association of new-onset antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated glomerulonephritis (ANCA-GN). No language restrictions were applied during the search. The eligible articles included reports of biopsy-proven pauci-immune glomerulonephritis that occurred following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The review was registered in PROSPERO database (CRD42023407786). Two further cases are reported.

RESULTS

The mean age of SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN was 48 ± 19 years. Fifty-six percent of patients showed positivity for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA. Among tested patients, 36% had concomitantly positive antinuclear antibodies, and 100% had positive rheumatoid factor. Eleven out of the 21 cases (55%) were diagnosed with ANCA-GN during hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The remaining cases were diagnosed after a median of 2.1 months following COVID-19. Seventy-one percent of patients showed improvement in kidney function following different treatments.

CASE REPORTS

one patient had positive p-ANCA and cryoglobulin. Another case had positive MPO-ANCA, c-ANCA, cryoglobulinemia, and rheumatoid factor.

CONCLUSION

SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN patients are younger than primary ANCA-GN patients. The presence of atypical ANCA along with co-positivity with other autoantibodies can raise suspicion for SARS-CoV-2 infection-associated ANCA-GN.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Forerunner or Precursor in Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis With Kidney Injury

COVID-19 disease and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis are both multi-systemic conditions. It is postulated there is a causal relationship between both conditions and this is supported by some case reports. The symptoms of COVID-19 can mimic those of vasculitis especially when the respiratory system is affected. Early diagnosis and treatment of ANCA-vasculitis cannot be overemphasized as this reduces the risk of severe organ damage. We report a 64-year-old lady with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed ANCA-vasculitis with acute kidney injury and we reviewed the literature on this plausible association.

We performed an electronic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and EMCARE databases for research studies and case series and reports published in the English language between April 2020 and February 2022. Our review suggests that patients with COVID-19 infection who had proteinase 3-ANCA positive vasculitis with diffuse alveolar haemorrhage had fatal outcomes. We also noticed an increased incidence of active urine sediments. We emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and early treatment of vasculitis to ensure an improved outcome.