Acute interstitial nephritis and probable Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease following COVID-19 infection: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by bilateral serous retinal detachment, which viral infections might induce. Coronavirus disease 2019 infection is thought to cause numerous autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. We report a case of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease post-coronavirus disease 2019 infection in the pediatric population. Case presentation: A 9-year-old Iranian girl with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction presented with an elevated serum creatinine level due to acute interstitial nephritis that was treated with a high dose of corticosteroid. During corticosteroid tapering, she complained of reduced visual acuity in her right eye. After evaluation and imaging, diagnosis of unilateral Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease was made, and the patient was successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroid, methotrexate, and antitumor necrosis factor α. Conclusion: Coronavirus disease 2019 infection could be a possible trigger factor for acute interstitial nephritis and Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease. Early diagnosis and treatment of these autoimmune features with corticosteroids and other antiinflammatory agents can help in faster improvement in these patients. In addition, it is crucial for physicians to consider Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease in pediatrics as one of the coronavirus disease 2019 complications for early diagnose and current treatment. © The Author(s) 2025.