A case of granulomatosis of polyangiitis presenting with COVID-19 infection: False-positivity or co-existence?

Authors : Mehtap KAYA, Ibrahim GOKCE, Sercin GUVEN, Serim PUL, Harika ALPAY

Pages : 373-376

Doi:10.5472/marumj.1368360

View : 19 | Download : 41

Publication Date : 2023-09-29

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Coronavirus disease 2019 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(COVID-19); was declared a global pandemic and a public health emergency worldwide in March 2020. COVID-19 presents with non-specific symptoms of the upper airway and pulmonary system, which can overlap with other diseases involving the respiratory system as granulomatosis with polyangiitis insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GPA);. Both diseases have high morbidity and mortality rates and it is important to promptly differentiate and treat them. Real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(RT-PCR); is currently the recommended method for diagnosing COVID-19. Antibody-based tests are used to diagnose both pat and current COVID-19 infections. We present a previously healthy thirteen-year-old girl who was admitted with upper airway symptoms and pulmonary involvement, and progressed to acute kidney failure. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, anemia, elevated kidney function tests and 2+ proteinuria. Computed tomography insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CT); of the lungs showed multiple nodules, cavities, and ground-glass opacities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(GGOs);. We performed RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 for three times. Results were all negative, but the COVID-19 immunoglobulin insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ig);M test sent simultaneously was positive. Based on the cytoplasmic antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(c-ANCA); positivity, upper airway, pulmonary, and renal involvement, she was diagnosed as GPA. This report highlights that COVID-19 antibody tests can be false-positive in patients with autoimmune diseases including GPA.
Keywords : COVID 19, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, False positive antibody test