SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Atypical Rapidly Progressive Diffuse Lung Injury in Prolonged Covid-19

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This case report describes an unusual instance of prolonged, serum-positive COVID-19 pneumonitis causing rapidly progressive diffuse lung injury in a patient with a history of malignancy and immunosuppression. The authors highlight that, because long-COVID syndrome is still poorly understood, there are no clear guidelines for managing chronic COVID-related pneumonitis or diffuse lung injury.<br /><br />The patient improved clinically after treatment with a high-dose methylprednisolone taper, suggesting that corticosteroids may have an important role in selected cases of prolonged COVID-19 lung disease, especially when other infectious causes have been excluded. The report compares this outcome with similar cases in the literature: one immunocompromised patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on maintenance rituximab improved after corticosteroids were added for secondary organizing pneumonia, while another immunocompromised patient on CAR-T therapy did not receive corticosteroids and later died from respiratory failure.<br /><br />The main takeaway is that patients with cancer or immunosuppression who develop COVID-19 may be at particularly high risk for severe respiratory complications and mortality. The authors argue for close monitoring, early recognition of atypical or persistent lung injury, and consideration of early steroid treatment when appropriate. They conclude that more research is needed to define the role of corticosteroids in prolonged COVID-19 pneumonitis and to develop treatment guidelines for this vulnerable population.

Asset Subtitle

Mark Ehioghae

Meta Tag

Author List Anu Taylor, Brian Buggy, Devesh Kumar, Gabriel Mikhael, Harini Shah, Mark Ehioghae

Category Clinical Vignettes

Concept COVID-19 Pneumonitis

Concept Diffuse Lung Injury

Concept Immunosuppressed Patients

Concept Glucocorticoid Therapy

Concept IV Methylprednisolone

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisonsin

Presenting Author Mark Ehioghae

Track Adult

Keywords

COVID-19 pneumonitis

diffuse lung injury

immunosuppression

malignancy

corticosteroids

methylprednisolone

long COVID

organizing pneumonia

respiratory failure

serum-positive COVID-19

COVID-19 Pneumonitis

Diffuse Lung Injury

Immunosuppressed Patients

Glucocorticoid Therapy

IV Methylprednisolone