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EP07?Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: diagnostic and therapeutic
challenges during COVID-19 pandemic
#MMPMIDC7607312
Tan Y
; Mohamedalhadi A
; Wood F
Rheumatol Adv Pract
2020[Oct]; 4
(Suppl 1
): ? PMIDC7607312
show ga
CASE REPORT - INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic affected medical practise
significantly and caused difficulties in accessing necessary investigations at
the appropriate time. As of March 2020, NHS England issued measures to redirect
staffs and resources in preparation for the rising cases of coronavirus. As a
result of this, non-urgent tests/treatments were put on hold. We present a new
case of EGPA admitted to our district general hospital during the COVID-19
pandemic to highlight the challenges faced. The diagnosis was reached based on
clinical judgment in the absence of some confirmatory tests as well as the
decision of starting immunosuppressant treatment during the pandemic. CASE REPORT
- CASE DESCRIPTION: A 41-years-old lady with a background of well-controlled
asthma, presented with five days history of paraesthesia and swelling in both
legs. She also reported mild pleuritic chest pain, which radiated to her left
arm. Physical examination revealed left foot drop. She had reduced sensation on
the L5-S1 dermatomal distribution with absent ankle reflex and reduced knee
reflex of her left leg. Her left calf was swollen and tender. The rest of her
examination was unremarkable. Baseline blood revealed raised WCC of 19.3 with
significant eosinophilia (10). CRP and ESR were 135?mg/L and 48mm/hr,
respectively. Electrocardiogram showed new T-wave inversion in the anterolateral
leads with significantly raised troponin levels. There was ground glass
appearance in both lungs, keeping with suspected COVID-19 and no evidence of
pulmonary embolus was found on CTPA. MRI spine confirmed no evidence of cauda
equina compression. Deep vein thrombosis was also excluded with US doppler. She
was treated as myocarditis and pneumonia secondary to probable COVID-19
infection. Echocardiogram revealed severe LVSD (EF?35%) with no LV hypertrophy.
Three days later, she became acutely breathless and required high flow oxygen.
New bilateral basal crackles were found on auscultation. Her antibiotic regimes
were escalated to intravenous infusion. A revised CT report suggested the
findings may correlate with eosinophilic pneumonia or EGPA. MRI of lower legs
proved muscular oedema in bilaterally, which was suggestive of myositis with
fasciitis. There was no significant change on the thigh musculature. CK level was
slightly elevated (403?IU/L). Urinalysis was positive for blood (3+). Given the
strong clinical suspicion of EPGA, a decision to start high dose steroid therapy
was made, despite the pending immunology results. After the third dose of the
methylprednisolone, pulsed cyclophosphamide was started along with high dose oral
prednisolone. The patient was discharged home following significant clinical
improvement. CASE REPORT - DISCUSSION: This patient has fulfilled 4 out of 6
criteria of ACR 1990 classification for EGPA, which are eosinophilia, bronchial
asthma, mononeuritis multiplex and pulmonary infiltrates on radiological images.
However, in the context of current pandemic, these changes on chest CT findings
could also be suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonitis. At present, there is no
reliable test for COVID-19. Even though RT-PCR testing has been the gold standard
for diagnosing suspected cases, the clinical sensitivity and specificity of these
tests are variable. A negative test may not rule out infection. In our case, the
patient was tested twice at separate times to rule out the possibility of
COVID-19 infection. During the pandemic, there is extremely limited access to
some confirmatory tests. We were not able to perform nerve conduction studies on
our patient as the service was suspended, instead, we sought neurologist?s review
to confirm the mononeuritis multiplex. We also sought advice from haematologist
to rule out the possibility of hyper-eosinophilic syndrome as bone marrow biopsy
was unavailable. The screen for atypical pneumonia, aspergillosis, viruses, and
tuberculosis were negative. By excluding the alternative diagnoses related to
eosinophilia, we concluded that this was likely to be a case of first
presentation EGPA. Our next obstacle was introducing remission?induction regimens
during COVID-19 pandemic. BSR does not recommend starting new treatment due to
the increased risk of infection. We had to weigh out the benefits and risks of
initiating immunosuppression. Our patient was made aware of the potential risks
involved which include severe infection with COVID-19. She was also shifted to a
side room with strict infection control precautions and PCP prophylaxis
prescribed before starting pulsed methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide.
Fortunately, her neurological symptoms resolved after three days of steroid
therapy. Eosinophils count dropped within 1?day to zero, after the first dose of
IV methylprednisolone. CASE REPORT - KEY LEARNING POINTS: Despite the rising
cases of COVID-19 infection, it is essential to keep an open mind and consider
alternative diagnosis if a patient did not respond to conventional treatment. As
EGPA and COVID-19 pneumonia share similar clinical and radiological presentation,
clinical judgement is essential when making the diagnosis as the treatments for
both conditions are vastly different. When EGPA is suspected, a multidisciplinary
team should be involved in the evaluation of different organ involvements as well
as ruling out other causes of eosinophilia. The role of specialists? inputs is
extremely important in reaching the diagnosis, especially with limited access to
the usual confirmatory tests due to reduced services during the pandemic. In
addition, when there is an increased risk of infection such as during the
COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to weigh up the benefits and risks of
commencing immunosuppressant treatment carefully. Patients need to be involved in
the decision-making process as well as take precautions to minimise the risk of
infection. The decision to start remission induction regimes should not be
delayed if there is a presence of life or organ threatening disease
manifestations in EGPA patients. Our patient has had a life-threatening disease
because of multi-organ involvements (cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological
systems).