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Case report
SARS-CoV-2-triggered lymphocytic colitis
  1. Islam Osama Nassar1,
  2. Gerald Langman2,
  3. Mohammed Nabil Quraishi1,3 and
  4. Naveen Sharma1,3
  1. 1Gastroenterology Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
  2. 2Histopathology Department, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
  3. 3Microbiome Treatment Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Islam Osama Nassar; Islam.Nassar{at}uhb.nhs.uk

Abstract

The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect the gastrointestinal tract is well described. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are believed to represent a disorganised immune response in genetically predisposed individuals, which are triggered by various environmental factors, notably infections. Here we report a case of chronic watery diarrhoea that was triggered by a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The work-up confirmed a new diagnosis of lymphocytic colitis, and the patient responded favourably to a course of oral budesonide. Clinicians should become vigilant to the possibility of triggered IBD in patients with persistent diarrhoea following a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

  • COVID-19
  • inflammatory bowel disease
  • gastrointestinal system
  • infection (gastroenterology)

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2021-243003

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors Case report conception: MNQ; data acquisition: ION, MNQ and GL; writing the case report: ION; critical review: NS, MNQ and GL.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.