Case Report RESPIRATORY MANIFESTATIONS OF MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE IMITATING COVID-19

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disorder showing features of a combination of primarily lupus, scleroderma, and polymyositis. Sjogren syndrome is observed in some people with this uncommon disease. The patient does not show symptoms of the separate diseases earlier, instead they tend to show up gradually for number of years, which can complicate the diagnostic procedure. The characteristic feature of MCTD is the antismith antibodies and antibodies against U1-ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex.  Clinically numbness of toes and fingers, myopathy, Raynaud’s syndrome, swollen hands, rash, arthritis, polymyositis and interstitial lung disease are observed. Patient presented with fever, shortness of breath, dry cough and was treated in the lines of corona virus disease. His pulmonary features resembled those of post covid fibrosis, hence the disease was overlooked due to this pandemic.