Pneumonia rebound after stopping steroid in a patient with COVID-19: A case report

Abstract

Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can develop a systemic inflammatory response that can lead to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction. The current treatment guideline recommends the use of corticosteroids in patients who require supplemental oxygen or are mechanically ventilated. This study reports a patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Initially, the patient was treated with dexamethasone for 10 days and remdesivir for 5 days. There was clinical improvement following the treatments. However, on day 15, the patient experienced rebound pneumonia and clinical deterioration. His clinical condition improved until dexamethasone was re-administered. This case demonstrates the rebound phenomenon after the steroid was discontinued. The duration and timing of steroids are crucial to reduce the risk of prolonged systemic inflammation and rebound pneumonia.