• Yumeng Cao, Jingrun Zhou, Tingting Cao, Guqin Zhang, and Huaqin Pan.
• Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Sep 23; 101 (38): e30634.

RationaleIn December 2019, a new epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appeared in Wuhan, Hubei Province, and spread rapidly to other parts of China and worldwide. Although established methods exist for the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 infection, the management of dermatomyositis (DM) patients with COVID-19 is unknown.Patient ConcernsIn this article, we describe case reports of 2 patients with DM. The first case was a 67-year-old patient with DM and infected with COVID-19 who was admitted to Leishenshan Hospital for a 1-month history of fever, cough, and expectoration. The second case was a 51-year-old male patient who was admitted to Leishenshan Hospital due to fever with cough, expectoration and shortness of breath for 1 month.DiagnosesThe first patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 secondary to DM based on repeated SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) test, detailed medical history and chest computed tomography; The second patient was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease associated with anti-MDA5 DM based on the results of antirheumatic and anti-inflammatory therapy and the above 3 methods.Interventions And OutcomesThe first patient received supportive and empirical treatment, including antiviral treatment, anti-inflammatory treatment, oxygen therapy and prophylactic anticoagulation therapy. The symptoms and laboratory results got improved after the treatments. He was discharged with thrice negative PCR tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The second patient received a comprehensive treatment, including glucocorticoid and plasma exchange; his symptoms were relieved and improved.LessonsThese cases suggest that repeated new pathogenic test results for the coronavirus and a detailed diagnosis of the medical history are important means to distinguish these diseases. Increased attention to the individual characteristics of different cases may allow for more effective diagnosis and treatment.Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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