Post-COVID-19 interstitial lung disease presenting with profound hypoxemia: Report of three cases demonstrating a good response to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. Issue 2 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uemasu, Kiyoshi; Yasuda, Yuto; Hirayama, Yutaka; Arasawa, Soichi; Iwashima, Daisuke; Takahashi, Ken-ichi
• Is Part Of: Journal of infection and chemotherapy. Volume 28:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 321
• Page End: 325
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Post-COVID-19 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Interstitial lung disease -- Corticosteroid therapy; NGSP National glycohemoglobin standardization program -- IPPV Intermittent positive pressure ventilation; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2021.11.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1341-321X

Abstract

Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which leads to critical pneumonia, although the clinical courses vary. In some cases, COVID-19 pneumonia causes secondary pulmonary fibrosis, which can retain radiological changes and prolong respiratory symptoms. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) secondary to COVID-19 is thought to be caused by multiple pathologies, such as excessive cytokines and abnormal repair processes elaborated by lung cells (epithelium, mesenchyme, and alveolar macrophages) after lung injury rather than viral invasion itself. Immunosuppression therapy may improve chronic respiratory symptoms and radiological changes in post-COVID-19 ILD, although the treatment is not yet established. Herein, we report three patients with post-COVID-19 ILD who presented with profound hypoxemia that had a good response to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. Further and larger studies are needed to establish post-COVID-19 ILD.