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A Case of Autoimmune Small Fiber Neuropathy as Possible Post COVID Sequelae

Author

Listed:
  • Noel G. Panagiotides

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
    Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Fritz Zimprich

    (Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Klaus Machold

    (Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Oliver Schlager

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Markus Müller

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Sebastian Ertl

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
    Division of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, 4600 Wels-Grieskirchen, Austria)

  • Henriette Löffler-Stastka

    (Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Renate Koppensteiner

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

  • Patricia P. Wadowski

    (Division of Angiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is reported to induce and augment autoimmune processes. Moreover, postinfectious effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are still poorly understood and often resemble symptoms of the acute infection phase. A patient with swollen extremities was presented to the Department of Angiology at the Medical University of Vienna with complaints of muscle and joint pain, paresthesia, and arterial hypertension with intense headache. Prior to these complaints, she had been suffering from various symptoms since November 2020, following a SARS-CoV-2 infection in the same month. These included recurrent sore throat, heartburn, dizziness, and headache. Paresthesia and muscle and joint pain started in temporal relation to a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. Since the patient was suffering from severe pain, intensive pain management was performed. Skin and nerve biopsies revealed autoimmune small fiber neuropathy. The patient’s condition could be related to COVID-19, as her first symptoms began in temporal relation to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, in the disease course, antinuclear (ANA) and anti-Ro antibodies, as well as anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies, could be detected. Together with the symptoms of xerophthalmia and pharyngeal dryness, primary Sjögren’s syndrome was diagnosed. In conclusion, though biopsy results could not distinguish a cause of the disease, SARS-CoV-2 infection can be discussed as a likely trigger for the patient’s autoimmune reactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Noel G. Panagiotides & Fritz Zimprich & Klaus Machold & Oliver Schlager & Markus Müller & Sebastian Ertl & Henriette Löffler-Stastka & Renate Koppensteiner & Patricia P. Wadowski, 2023. "A Case of Autoimmune Small Fiber Neuropathy as Possible Post COVID Sequelae," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4918-:d:1093767
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sydney R. Stein & Sabrina C. Ramelli & Alison Grazioli & Joon-Yong Chung & Manmeet Singh & Claude Kwe Yinda & Clayton W. Winkler & Junfeng Sun & James M. Dickey & Kris Ylaya & Sung Hee Ko & Andrew P. , 2022. "SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistence in the human body and brain at autopsy," Nature, Nature, vol. 612(7941), pages 758-763, December.
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