Rationale: Kidney involvement with COVID-19 infection is a well-known complication, and the majority of kidney involvement is related to ischemic injury/acute tubular injury. However, there are some cases of glomerulonephritis, the etiology of which is not yet known, but an immune process is likely to be the trigger.
Patient concerns: A 27-year-old man presented to our hospital with facial puffiness and lower-limb swelling.
Diagnosis: Laboratory assessment revealed features of impaired kidney function with proteinuria and hematuria; COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction was positive, which was consistent with pauci-immune crescentic focal segmental glomerulonephritis.
Intervention: After renal biopsy, the patient was started on methylprednisolone and rituximab. Due to worsening kidney parameters, he underwent intermittent hemodialysis as needed.
Outcome: Kidney function tests partially improved; he was discharged on oral steroids with follow-up in the nephrology clinic to observe for the need for further hemodialysis.
Lessons: We conducted a literature review of cases of glomerulonephritis associated with COVID-19 and described numerous types of glomerulonephritis. This report highlights the importance of recognizing emerging glomerulonephritis with COVID-19, the different pathological patterns of renal biopsies, and management interventions and responses.
Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.