Systemic lupus erythematosus flare during SARS-CoV-2 infection: Report of 3 cases presented during the fourth wave of the pandemic in Colombia.

Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has become a worldwide pandemic since first discovered in 2019. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare has been reported in the post-infectious period. In Colombia, the fourth pandemic wave started at the beginning of 2022 when we observed flare of 3 SLE patients during active infection.

Case Presentation: We describe 3 patients with inactive SLE, who presented coronavirus disease 2019 and severe flare in early 2022, 2 patients with nephritis and 1 with severe thrombocytopenia. All patients had increase of antinuclear and anti-DNA antibody titers and complement consumption.

Conclusions: Three cases with SLE flare concomitant with active SARS-CoV-2 infection were different from others reported earlier in the pandemic with post-infectious flare.