SARS-CoV-2-Related Subacute Thyroiditis, Myocarditis, and Hepatitis After Full Resolution of COVID-19 Serum Markers

• Published in: The American journal of case reports 2021-06, Vol.22, p.e932321-e932321-5
• Main Authors: Osorio Martínez, Alejandra, González-Razo, Victoria Taís, Navarro-Sánchez, Valeria, Souto Meiriño, Carlos A, Ahumada-Ayala, Miguel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; COVID-19; Hepatitis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Myocarditis - diagnosis; Myocarditis - etiology; SARS-CoV-2; Thyroiditis, Subacute
• ISSN: 1941-5923; 1941-5923
• DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.932321

BACKGROUND Subacute thyroiditis, myocarditis, and hepatitis are inflammatory disorders that may develop after viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2. These entities may appear after resolution of the respiratory syndrome. CASE REPORT A previously healthy 64-year-old male patient came to the hospital reporting severe chest pain. He had a history of a COVID-19 pneumonia with PCR confirmation 4 weeks before. On admission to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), the patient had a negative PCR for SARS-CoV-2; the following tests were performed: total T3 643.4 ng/dl (reference 35-193 ng/dl), total thyroxine 12.0 μg/dl (reference 4.8-11.7 μg/dl), free T4 1.85 ng/dl (reference 0.7-1.48 ng/dl), TSH 0.01 μIU/ml (reference 0.35-4.94 μIU/ml); total bilirubin 0.76 mg/dl (reference 0.0-1.5 mg/dl), alkaline phosphatase 185 U/L (reference 40-150 U/L), alanine aminotransferase 194.6 U/L (reference 6-66 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase 93.4 U/L (reference 9-55 U/L); on admission to the CCU high-sensitivity troponin I 548.3 pg/ml (reference 0.0-34.2 pg/ml), after 24 h in the CCU 801 pg/ml, and after 11 days (as an outpatient) 4.5 pg/ml. A thyroid gammagram revealed absent uptake of the radionuclide. Normal cardiac gammagraphy and cardiac enzymes ruled out myocardial ischemia and infarction. The following diagnoses were made: myocarditis, subacute thyroiditis, and reactive hepatitis due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 has been demonstrated to be a multisystemic inflammatory disorder. The serious illness that developed in our patient after relief of his pulmonary disease underlines this nature. We suggest close follow-up of patients even after apparent clinical resolution, and performing thyroid, myocardial, and liver tests if clinically indicated.