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Case Reports
. 2021 Feb;93(2):1184-1187.
doi: 10.1002/jmv.26513. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and varicella-like rash following COVID-19 in a previously healthy patient

Yasmine Slimani  1 , Reda Abbassi  2 , Fatima-Zohra El Fatoiki  1 , Lahoucine Barrou  2 , Soumiya Chiheb  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Systemic lupus erythematosus and varicella-like rash following COVID-19 in a previously healthy patient

Yasmine Slimani et al. J Med Virol. 2021 Feb.

Abstract

Emerging reports show that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. However, COVID-19 triggered systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has never been reported to our knowledge. COVID-19 also has associated cutaneous manifestations. Here we present a case of SLE with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in a previously healthy patient with COVID-19, who subsequently developped a varicella-like exanthem on the trunk. The disease resulted in death of the patient. The pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in overlapping disorders in our patient remain unknown, adding to the growing mystery of this virus and raising questions about the nature of its link with cutaneous, autoimmune, and autoinflammatory manifestations. Sharing the images of this case may benefit physicians dealing with similar patients during this pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; dermatoscopy; systemic lupus erythematosus; varicella-like exanthem.

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References

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