RESPIRATORY MANIFESTATIONS OF MIXED CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASE IMITATING COVID-19

Abstract

Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) is an autoimmune disorder showing features of a combination of primary 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 in early phase, instead, they tend to show up gradually for several years, which can complicate the diagnostic procedure. The characteristic feature of MCTD is the antisemite 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. The patient presented with fever, shortness of breath and dry cough and was treated along the lines of coronavirus disease. His pulmonary features resembled those of post COVID fibrosis, hence the disease was overlooked due to this pandemic.