A Case of COVID-19-Associated Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Abstract

This case report details a 43-year-old female diagnosed with the collapsing variant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) post-infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The patient contracted COVID-19 after returning from a trip to Florida and initially presented to the emergency department with gastrointestinal symptoms. Thereafter, the patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 and was admitted for acute kidney injury and worsening COVID-19 infection. FSGS is a glomerulopathy that consists of glomerular scarring that leads to nephrotic syndrome, secondary to podocyte effacement. FSGS has many causes, as well as distinct variants, but is noted to have an association with some viruses, most notably HIV and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Although the association between FSGS and HIV or CMV is well established, the evidence is minimal in regard to other viruses. This case report serves to highlight the potential association of COVID-19 with FSGS.