COVID-19 as a trigger for systemic diseases: a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus

Background. COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has profoundly impacted global health since its emergence. Beyond its acute respiratory symptoms, COVID-19 is recognized for its systemic effects, capable of impacting multiple organs and triggering a range of inflammatory and autoimmune responses. One area of growing concern is the potential of COVID-19 to induce or exacerbate systemic autoimmune-mediated diseases. Purpose – to analyze the clinical case of a patient diagnosed for the first time with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) following a COVID-19 infection. The study aims to investigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the immune system and explore possible challenges in diagnosis and management strategies to prevent or mitigate autoimmune complications in such patients.