Sarcoidosis developing after COVID‐19: A case report

Abstract

Abstract COVID‐19 has been implicated in the development of a range of autoimmune diseases and medical consequences. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease with sustained granulomatous inflammation. The possible main pathogenesis of sarcoidosis is a dysregulation between immune response and certain environmental antigens. We present a case of sarcoidosis as an interesting sequela of COVID‐19. The patient was hospitalized due to SARS‐CoV‐2 without complication. Ten weeks after the illness, his chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral hilar, paratracheal and subcarinal lymph node enlargement. Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) was performed; pathologic findings were that of well‐formed non‐necrotizing granulomas. Complete eye examination reported panuveitis and papillitis in both eyes. On the basis of these findings, sarcoidosis was diagnosed. Therefore, sarcoidosis developing after COVID‐19 was suggested as a possible link between the viral infection and dysregulation of the inflammation process. However, further studies are needed to confirm this association.

Keywords

• COVID‐19
• granulomatous
• sarcoidosis
• uveitis