Sarcoidosis developing after <scp>COVID</scp>‐19: A case report

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.