Inflammatory Mastitis in Implant Breast Carriers-A New Form of Presentation of Covid-19: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Today with more than 190 million confirmed cases and more than 4 million deaths worldwide, SARS-COVID-19 has become an unprecedented challenge. Its molecular structure, spread-forms, and clinical presentation are areas of continuous study due to its constant change and new forms of presentation and dicipation. A clinical case with COVID-19 disease with bilateral non-lactating inflammatory mastitis in a patient with breast implants is presented. Discussion: Depending on its etiology, mastitis can be classified as infectious (septic or bacterial) and non-infectious (aseptic or inflammatory). Non-infectious or inflammatory mastitis is not related to the infection of a pathogen. This group can be related to mammary duct ectasia, inflammatory cross-reaction and foreign bodies. A new etiology has been reported as postCOVID-19 vaccination mastitis; however, mastitis has not been documented during coviD-19 infection. We can hypothesize that the pathophysiology of our case can involve a cross-reaction to the viral peak protein of 1273 amino acids with antigens found on the surface of microtextured implants or related in a loss on the homeostasis in the production and secretion of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) during COVID-19 infection. Conclusion: Mastitis represents a common pathology before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they are considered different entities, mastitis could be considered a rare manifestation fo COVID- 19 disease. Its approach, diagnosis and treatment must be timely and protocolized through a multidisciplinary group.