Lethal Outcome in a Healthy Man Infected with COVID-19

COVID-19 is defined as a respiratory infection which is spread by droplets and immediate contact with an infected person. The first case of COVID-19 infection in Serbia was reported on March 6^th, 2020.

Herein, we present the case of confirmed COVID-19 infection in a previously healthy man, whose three other family members showed mild symptoms of coronavirus disease, without the need for hospitalization. The patient was treated at the tertiary medical center, four days after the onset of symptoms. During the hospitalization, he developed serious complications and fatal outcome. In this case, hypoxia-induced cardiac arrest was secondary to severe COVID-19 pneumonia with the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis. Laboratory and flow cytometry results indicate the presence of the cytokine storm, while the mechanical ventilation might potentially increase the risk of lethal outcome.

This case report is important because it should give clinicians the insight into the treatment of the previously healthy individuals with COVID-19, especially in terms of possible laboratory markers that could indicate the presence of the cytokine storm phenomenon.