COVID-induced pulmonary renal syndrome with severe intra-alveolar hemorrhage

Abstract

Since the initial surge of COVID-19, there has been an increased number of connective tissue diseases and vasculitis associated with this diagnosis. These cases include systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis, polymyalgia, and giant cell arteritis. There are a number of presumed mechanisms behind that including the deregulation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as well as interferon related genes, leading to increased release of inflammation markers including cytokines as well as interleukin-6, complement activation and B cell proliferation and production of autoantibodies.