Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 05, 2025 12 hours, 2 minutes ago
Medical News: A new systematic review has raised alarm over a dangerous autoimmune disease that appears to be increasingly linked with COVID-19 infections. Researchers from the University of Bari and Policlinico University Hospital in Italy have found that cases of anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis (DM), also called anti-MDA5 syndrome, have surged since the start of the pandemic. This rare but serious condition can lead to skin rashes, joint pain, and most critically, rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease, which carries a high risk of death. According to this
Medical News report, the rise in cases seems to track closely with the waves of COVID-19 infections between 2020 and 2024.
Rising Concern Over Surge in Anti-MDA5 Dermatomyositis Cases Following COVID-19
What the Researchers Found
The Italian team analyzed 29 studies from around the world, covering both case reports and larger investigations. They discovered that anti-MDA5 antibodies—immune proteins that mistakenly attack the body—were detected in many COVID-19 patients during infection and in those recovering afterward. In some studies, nearly half of hospitalized COVID-19 patients tested positive for these antibodies, which were strongly linked with severe symptoms, lung damage, and poor survival.
One troubling trend was the emergence of new dermatomyositis cases soon after people had COVID-19. These included both adults and children, with some developing severe lung inflammation within just three months of infection. Doctors in the UK reported a spike in cases during the 2021 Delta wave, and surveys in the US also showed that many patients developed symptoms such as rashes, joint pain, and fatigue after testing positive for COVID-19. Chinese researchers reported that among dermatomyositis patients, almost half developed fatal lung complications soon after infection.
Why COVID Triggers This Condition
The culprit seems to be MDA5, a molecule that normally helps cells detect viruses. When SARS-CoV-2 infects the body, MDA5 becomes overactive, leading to a storm of immune signals and uncontrolled inflammation. In genetically susceptible people, this can tip the immune system into self-destruction, producing antibodies that attack skin, muscles, and lungs. The review found that this overreaction may be a reason why long COVID and post-infection autoimmune diseases are becoming more recognized globally.
Treatment Insights and Hope
Doctors have been trying different treatments, including steroids, immune-suppressing drugs, and a promising arthritis drug called Baricitinib, which calms the overactive immune response. In intensive care units, combining Baricitinib with steroids helped reduce deaths among COVID patients with severe inflammation. However, outcomes remain poor for many dermatomyositis patients, especially those who develop lung scarring or respiratory failure. Some severe cases have required lung transplants.
Conclusion
The findings highlight that COVID-19 is not only a respiratory
virus but also a dangerous trigger for autoimmune disease. The evidence strongly suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can spark anti-MDA5 dermatomyositis in genetically predisposed individuals, leading to life-threatening complications. This should serve as a warning to both doctors and the public: even after mild COVID-19, new symptoms such as unexplained rashes, joint pain, or breathing difficulties should not be ignored. More research is urgently needed to understand the genetic risks and to develop targeted treatments, but it is now clear that the legacy of COVID-19 includes autoimmune illnesses that could persist for years to come.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Frontiers in Immunology
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1565803/full
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-infections-and-vaccines-can-cause-anti-mda5-antibody-positive-dermatomyositis
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-finds-that-covid-19-is-causing-rise-in-mda5-autoimmune-lung-disease
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-doctor-from-uc-san-diego-warns-of-new-covid-19-manifestations-such-as-dermatomyositis-muscular-pains-and-alerts-about-lung-fibrosis
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