Corona virus disease 2019-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome: a case report

Abstract

Background: To report Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in a patient with acute pneumonia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Case presentation: A 45-years-old woman with a diagnosis of acute pneumonia secondary to SARS-CoV-2 infection who had received azithromycin and naproxen. Three days after starting the medication, she appeared ill and developed ocular discomfort, photophobia, dysuria, and macular rashes on the trunk and the extremities. On ophthalmological examination, a total epithelial defect was seen in both eyes. According to the examination, Stevens-Johnson syndrome was diagnosed and the patient was admitted to receive systemic and ocular support and medical care. The patient’s condition improved during the 3 weeks and recovered from both COVID-19 and SJS life-threatening complications but ocular complications, including the destruction of the meibomian glands, irregularity of the eyelid margin, and corneal scarring remained for the patient. Conclusions: Although, it is not clear whether the cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome in COVID-19 patients is the virus itself or whether the use of medication, but patients with COVID-19, especially patients receiving medication, should be screened for symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.