Secondary organizing pneumonia after coronavirus disease (literature review)

Abstract

New coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a life-threatening infection that can lead to the development of persisting symptoms. Clinical, radiological and histopathological characteristics of post-coronavirus pneumonia are similar to secondary organizing pneumonia (SOP). This type of pneumonia is considered to be a complication of COVID-19, which correlates with the severity of the disease and increases patient mortality rates.It should be noted that radiological signs of pneumonia are can be observed in recovered individuals in 67% of cases. Moreover, fibrosis, complicated by symptoms of respiratory failure, may develop in 5-8% of the cases despite the fact that SOP resolves independently in 25% of individuals, and, in most cases, can be easily treated.Currently there are no methods of treating SOP induced by COVID-19; the first-line therapy involves the use of glucocorticosteroids (GCs). Despite the effectiveness of GCs, the treatment lasts for more than six months, and the disease has a high probability of relapse upon treatment discontinuation. Clinical trials have been registered to determine the optimal treatment duration and dosages of GCs in SOP treatment after COVID-19, however, the lack of consensus remains, keeping this issue open. This review provides data regarding organizing pneumonia, SOP induced by COVID-19, its radiological signs and treatment options within the framework of ongoing clinical trials.