Morphea caused by COVID-19 infection, first polish case report

Abstract

Morphea, a localized scleroderma variant, is a rare dermatological condition characterized by fibrosis and thickening of the skin. While its etiology remains unclear, there have been reports of its association with viral infections, including COVID-19. We present a case of morphea in a 26-year-old female patient with a history of two episodes of COVID-19. The patient exhibited cutaneous lesions on her left forearm, bilateral axillae, and groin, accompanied by abdominal wall induration Laboratory investigations revealed no significant abnormalities, except for positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) with various patterns. This case highlights the potential association between COVID-19 infection and the development of morphea, underscoring the importance of considering this relationship in patients presenting with dermatological manifestations following COVID-19. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize treatment strategies for such cases. Key words: COVID-19, Morphea, Post-COVID-19 Morphea, Skin diseases