Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience neuropsychiatric symptoms. The term neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) is a generic term that refers to a series of neurological and psychiatric symptoms directly related to SLE. In approximately 30% of patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms, SLE is the primary cause (NPSLE), and symptoms manifest more frequently around SLE onset. Neurovascular and psychotic conditions can also lead to NPSLE. Pathogenesis of NPSLE is implicated in both neuroinflammatory and ischemic mechanisms, and it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. After diagnosing and assigning causality, NPSLE treatment is individualized according to the type of neuropsychiatric manifestations, type of the predominant pathway, activity of SLE, and severity of the clinical manifestations. There are many problems to be addressed with regards to the diagnosis and management of NPSLE. Controlled clinical trials provide limited guidance for management, and observational cohort studies support symptomatic, antithrombotic, and immunosuppressive agents. The purpose of this review was to provide a detailed and critical review of the literature on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of NPSLE. This study aimed to identify the shortcoming in diagnostic biomarkers, novel therapies against NPSLE, and additional research needs.
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Apart from respiratory manifestations, COVID-19 can affect the nervous system due to its neurotropic features. Neurological manifestations and complications include headache, polyneuropathies, cerebrovascular accidents, seizures, encephalopathy, and demyelinating disease. We describe a case of multiple sclerosis, a demyelinating disease following COVID-19 infection, rarely reported in the literature.A 47-year-old female presented with fatigue, blurry vision, numbness, and signs of upper motor neuron lesions that had occurred three weeks after COVID-19 infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed demyelinating lesions in the periventricular area of both hemispheres, suggesting a demyelinating disease. A provisional diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was made. Her condition improved after the commencement of methylprednisolone.
The association between coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and autoimmune disease has been mounting, and literature on COVID-19-induced flare-up of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease is lacking. We describe a case of lupus cerebritis triggered by COVID-19 in a young female with SLE, who presented with fluctuated mentation, psychomotor retardation, slow speech, and intermittent choreiform movement in the upper part of the body. She had a history of COVID-19 infection three weeks back. Her serum immunoglobulin G antibodies were positive against COVID-19. On examination, she had psychomotor agitation, intermittent choreiform movements of upper limbs, and poor speech. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense signals in the white matter of both hemispheres, suggestive of lupus cerebritis secondary to COVID-19 infection and lack of any other identifiable risk factor. Management included methylprednisolone, prednisone, and olanzapine. The patient was also placed on monthly intravenous cyclophosphamide, and her condition started improving gradually.
Mass vaccination against coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has effectively controlled the pandemic and has been remarkably effective and safe. Reports of a few adverse events have been reported after postmarketing surveillance. We present a rare case of multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse in a female who presented with fatigue, involuntary eye movements, and numbness; autoimmunity following the COVID-19 vaccine has also been described. She was diagnosed with MS six years back and was in remission. She received her COVID-19 vaccine 18 days ago. Her clinical and radiological features confirmed the MS relapse. Her serology for COVID-19 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM was positive, and she was managed with intravenous methylprednisolone and symptomatic management. Our case provides a possible association of vaccineassociated MS relapse; however, more evidence is warranted from future studies.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a class of autoimmune diseases that can cause kidney failure because of mononuclear cell infiltration and the destruction of small and mediumsized blood vessels. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may trigger or exacerbate autoimmune diseases. We present a case of ANCA-associated vasculitis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis after a COVID-19 infection, who presented with intermittent hemoptysis and dyspnea and was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia three weeks ago. Her clinical, radiological, and serological picture was concerned with pulmonary-renal syndrome. Her serum was positive for antinuclear antibody and ANCAs, and renal biopsy showed pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis. She was diagnosed clinicopathologically with pauciimmune glomerulonephritis in the setting of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after a COVID-19 infection. Her condition improved after she was treated with rituximab and pulse dose methylprednisolone.
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