Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is an uncommon disease and its diagnosis remains challenging. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to distinguish between PAP and post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae. Here we present a case of a 44-year-old male patient who experienced exertional dyspnea after recovering from COVID-19. He was initially diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome and treated with systemic corticosteroid without improvement. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed crazy-paving pattern with ground-glass opacities. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) analysis confirmed the final diagnosis of PAP. The patient underwent left lung lavage in combination with conventional therapy and experienced significant improvement in his respiratory condition and overall health during follow-up. Hence, PAP could occur after a COVID-19 infection. This case highlights the importance of considering PAP as a potential diagnosis in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms after COVID-19. The high suspicion indicators of PAP revealed by chest-CT and BLF may be a key to differentiating PAP from post-COVID-19 pulmonary sequelae. Moreover, it is plausible that SARS-CoV-2 plays a role in the development of proteinosis, either by inducing a flare-up or by directly causing the condition.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10173208PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s41030-023-00224-0DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

post-covid-19 pulmonary
12
pulmonary alveolar
8
alveolar proteinosis
8
lung lavage
8
pap post-covid-19
8
pulmonary sequelae
8
pap
7
post-covid-19
4
proteinosis treated
4
treated lung
4

Similar Publications

We sought to evaluate the effects of a 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program on lung function, mechanics, as well as pulmonary and systemic inflammation in a cohort of 33 individuals with moderate to severe post-COVID-19. : The pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program employed a combination of aerobic and resistance exercises. Thirty minutes of treadmill training at 75% of the maximum heart rate, combined with 30 min resistance training consisting of 75% of one maximum repetition, three times a week throughout 12 weeks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many survivors experiencing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive complaints. E-cigarette use has already been associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 because of its effects on ACE2 receptor expression and inflammation, raising concern that it might worsen the long-term outcomes of COVID-19, including PCS. While traditional smoking is associated with a higher risk of PCS, the role of e-cigarettes remains unclear due to conflicting evidence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Assessing post-COVID-19 functional recovery in healthcare workers: Insights from the 6-minute walking test and DLCO analysis.

J Infect Public Health

January 2025

Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Infectious Disease Unit, Specialty Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare workers (HCWs) worldwide, necessitating an understanding of its effects on their health and functional capacity. This study utilized the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and pulmonary function test (PFT) to evaluate post-infection recovery of HCWs, and analyzed the results in relation to comorbidities, symptoms, and healthcare admission.

Methods: HCWs who previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were recruited, and the 6MWT and PFT were conducted.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Persistent lung abnormalities following COVID-19 infection are common. Similar parenchymal changes are observed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We investigated whether common genetic risk factors in IPF are associated with developing lung parenchymal abnormalities following severe COVID-19 disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Post-COVID-19 respiratory sequelae often involve lung damage, which is called residual lung abnormalities, and potentially lead to chronic respiratory issues. The adaptive immune response, involving T-cells and B-cells, plays a critical role in pathogen control, inflammation, and tissue repair. However, the link between immune dysregulation and the development of residual lung abnormalities remains unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!