SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Forerunner or Precursor in Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis With Kidney Injury

COVID-19 disease and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis are both multi-systemic conditions. It is postulated there is a causal relationship between both conditions and this is supported by some case reports. The symptoms of COVID-19 can mimic those of vasculitis especially when the respiratory system is affected. Early diagnosis and treatment of ANCA-vasculitis cannot be overemphasized as this reduces the risk of severe organ damage. We report a 64-year-old lady with SARS-CoV-2 infection who developed ANCA-vasculitis with acute kidney injury and we reviewed the literature on this plausible association. We performed an electronic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and EMCARE databases for research studies and case series and reports published in the English language between April 2020 and February 2022. Our review suggests that patients with COVID-19 infection who had proteinase 3-ANCA positive vasculitis with diffuse alveolar haemorrhage had fatal outcomes. We also noticed an increased incidence of active urine sediments. We emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion for diagnosis and early treatment of vasculitis to ensure an improved outcome.