Sarcoidosis in a young adult: A rare sequelae of COVID-19 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus- 2 (SARS- CoV- 2), a positive- sense single- stranded RNA virus, causes COVID- 19 and has been linked to au-toimmune disorders. Sarcoidosis is a multi- system disease that is frequently triggered by infections. It is characterized by non- necrotizing granulomas in multiple organs. We present a case of sarcoidosis as rare sequelae of COVID- 19. A 26- year- old man presented with mild COVID- 19 symptoms, followed by pro-longed fever and cough despite initial therapy, prompting a provisional diagnosis of post- COVID fibrosis. A subsequent assessment at a tertiary hospital revealed dyspnea, weight loss, and abnormal chest imaging, all of which were consistent with pulmonary sarcoidosis with pulmonary tuberculosis as a differential diag-nosis. A biopsy taken during bronchoscopy confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis and treatment with inhalation steroids resulted in symptom relief, which was followed by remission with oral steroid therapy. Sarcoidosis is a systemic dis-ease of unknown etiology, characterized by non- necrotizing granulomas in multiple organs. It may be triggered by infections and involves an abnormal im-mune response. COVID- 19 can potentially initiate sarcoidosis, with both shar-ing common immune mechanisms. Diagnosis involves imaging and biopsy, and treatment typically includes glucocorticoids and regular monitoring. This case report emphasizes the potential link between COVID- 19 and autoimmune con-ditions like sarcoidosis, highlighting the need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach and long- term observation to distinguish between sarcoidosis and post- COVID fibrosis.