Use Of Tocilizumab Research Articles

The comparison of favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir combination in COVID-19 treatment

SARS-CoV-2, a ribonucleic acid coronavirus, rapidly spread worldwide within a short timeframe. Although different antiviral, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory drugs are used, current evidence is insufficient as to which drug is more efficient. Our study compared favipiravir and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/RTV) therapies in inpatient care for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Demographic data, test results, treatments, and latest status of patients receiving inpatient COVID-19 pneumonia therapy were recorded. The initial favipiravir and LPV/RTV receiving groups were compared regarding the need for intensive care units (ICU) and mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed by including variables showing significant differences as a result of paired comparisons into the model. Of the 204 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, 59 (28.9%), 131 (64.2%), and 14 were administered LPV/RTV, favipiravir, and favipiravir with LPV/RTV, respectively. No difference was found in age, sex, presence of comorbidity, and tocilizumab, systemic corticosteroid, and plasma therapy use between patients administered with these three different treatment regimens. The mean mortality age of the patients was 71 ± 14.3 years, which was substantially greater than that of the survivors (54.2 ± 15.5 years). Compared with patients administered with LPV/RTV, ICU admission and mortality rates were lower in patients administered with favipiravir. CK-MB, AST, CRP, LDH, and creatinine levels were higher, whereas lymphocyte counts were lower in patients who died. Age, AST, CRP, LDH, and neutrophil counts were higher in patients needing ICU, and eosinophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly lower. Logistic regression analysis showed that favipiravir use independently decreased mortality (p = 0.006). The use of favipiravir was more effective than LPV/RTV in reducing mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

COVID-19 related treatment and outcomes among COVID-19 ICU patients: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic remains an immediate and present concern, yet as of now there is still no approved therapeutic available for the treatment of COVID-19.This study aimed to investigate and report evidence concerning demographic characteristics and currently-used medications that contribute to the ultimate outcomes of COVID-19 ICU patients. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted among all COVID-19 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Asir Central Hospital in Saudi Arabia between the 1st and 30th of June 2020. Data extracted from patients’ medical records included their demographics, home medications, medications used to treat COVID-19, treatment durations, ICU stay, hospital stay, and ultimate outcome (recovery or death).Descriptive statistics and regression modelling were used to analyze and compare the results. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committees at both Asir Central Hospital and King Khalid University. ResultsA total of 118 patients with median age of 57 years having definite clinical and disease outcomes were included in the study. Male patients accounted for 87% of the study population, and more than 65% experienced at least one comorbidity. The mean hospital and ICU stay was 11.4 and 9.8 days, respectively. The most common drugs used were tocilizumab (31.4%), triple combination therapy (45.8%), favipiravir (56.8%), dexamethasone (86.7%), and enoxaparin (83%). Treatment with enoxaparin significantly reduced the length of ICU stay (p = 0.04) and was found to be associated with mortality reduction in patients aged 50−75 (p = 0.03), whereas the triple regimen therapy and tocilizumab significantly increased the length of ICU stay in all patients (p = 0.01, p = 0.02 respectively). ConclusionCOVID-19 tends to affect males more significantly than females. The use of enoxaparin is an important part of COVID-19 treatment, especially for those above 50 years of age, while the use of triple combination therapy and tocilizumab in COVID-19 protocols should be reevaluated and restricted to patients who have high likelihood of benefit.

Post Tocilizumab Secondary Infections in Covid-19 patients”- Are we doing enough?

Aim: To focus on the frequency of ICU-acquired infections in Sars Co-V2 Corona Virus disease (COVID 19) patients. Method: A retrospective observational study carried out in two tertiary care hospitals treating COVID 19 cases, Services Institute of Medical Sciences and Bahria International Hospital, Lahore. Data was collected from the medical records of the COVID 19 ICUs of both hospitals from May 1, 2020 to April30, 2021. All charts were reviewed for the evidence of positive cultures. The treatment given prior to positive cultures, after the availability of culture results and outcomes were also recorded. Results: A total of 432 records were reviewed and 400 cases were included while 32 cases were excluded because of incomplete data. The frequency of infections per 1,000 days of ICU stay was calculated in 90 (22.5%) patients. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 68 cases (75.5%) with Pseudomonas in 44 cases (48.8%), Acinetobacter in 23/90 (25.5%) while 17 cases (18.8%) had gram positive infection with Enterococcus in 14/18 (77.77%) or 14/90 (15.55%), MRSA in 4/18 (22.22%) 4/90 (4.44%), while 5/90 (5.5%) had more than 2 isolates at same time. Among these 3 had both pseudomonas and Acinetobacter while 2 patients had Pseudomonas and Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia. Conclusion: There seems to be an increase in the infection rate among critically sick COVID 19 patients admitted in ICU. Use of steroids and Tocilizumab seems to play a role through their immunomodulatory effects. Keywords: Tocilizumab, Secondary infections

Tocilizumab in SARS-COVID19 following postoperative laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for the adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric tumor: A case report.

Introduction and importanceEsophagectomy for esophageal cancer is one of the most challenging surgical procedures, with high rates of morbidity, especially from respiratory complications. SARS-COVID19 represents a health threat nowadays. Peri-operative SARS-COVID19 infection after esophagectomy might negatively affect the postoperative outcomes. The use of tocilizumab as an alternative to reduce the inflammatory response in SARS-COVID19 is an option that has not been described in the literature after esophagectomy.Case presentationA SARS-COVID19-vaccinated (CORONAVAC) 73-year-old man with pulmonary emphysema, coronary artery disease, previous asymptomatic pulmonary embolism, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction tumor was submitted to laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (ypT2N0M0) after perioperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy. He was also infected with SARS-COVID19, confirmed by PCR test at the 14th postoperative day. During follow-up, mild hypoxemia persisted without evidence of infection except for SARS-COVID19, and a high-flow cannula was required to maintain oxygenation. Tocilizumab was administered following high parameters of a high-flow cannula, and invasive mechanical ventilation was avoided.DiscussionBesides of the risk of secondary infection, after administration of tocilizumab, the parameters of oxygen supplementation were systematically reduced, and he stayed in the ICU for seven days. He was discharged from the ward six days later. He developed late cervical anastomotic leakage, which was treated with conservative therapy.ConclusionAlthough the patient had high-risk comorbidities, esophagectomy, and SARS-COVID19 infection, the use of tocilizumab was safe and improved the pulmonary recovery.

Black Fungus an Escalating Threat for Covid-19 Patients Calling Out Captivation

Background Current year 2021, brought a hope for the world due to availability of various vaccines to prevent COVID 19. Researchers around the Globe, kept working around the clock to dig up various correlations of this infection. So, that morbidity and mortality rates can be reduced. In all this sprint, cases of black fungus came into light in India. The Indian researchers identified strong association of black fungus co infection in COVID patients resulting in high mortality rates. Objectives Therefore, this current systematic review was planned to identify the predisposing factors, clinical presentations and management options for black fungus in COVID 19 patients. Methodology: This ‘systematic review’ was carried out following preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines & various search engines. Total 20(N) articles were selected and included for study. After following PRISMA guidelines and based upon inclusion and exclusion criteria of study, total 05 (N) manuscripts, were included. Results Out of 05(N) selected articles, 80 %( 04) strongly supported strong association of black fungus with COVID 19 patients. The highlighted predisposing factors includes, immunosuppression, anti virals, prolong hospital stay, use of tocilizumab and steroids as management of COVID patients. Timely diagnosis and provision of anti-fungal can be helpful to reduce mortality form this co infection. Conclusion It is concluded that immunosuppression, anti virals, prolong hospital stay, use of tocilizumab and steroids as management of COVID predisposes to black fungus. Timely diagnosis and use of systematic anti fungals can reduce mortality rate form this co infection.

Use of the rheumatic drug tocilizumab for treatment of SARS-CoV-2 patients.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has been observed to vary in its degree of symptoms. One of the most important clinical manifestations is pneumonia and the subsequent worsening of the hyperinflammatory state and cytokine storm.Tocilizumab (TCB) is a recombinant humanized, anti-human monoclonal antibody of the immunoglobulin G1k (IgG1k) subclass that acts against soluble and membrane-bound interleukin six receptors (IL-6R). There is wide use of TCB in rheumatic diseases. However, recently this medication has been used in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Tocilizumab application in COVID-19 patients with a high risk of a cytokine storm shows a positive response in reducing the mortality rate. Moreover, TCB minimizes the time needed to recover, improves oxygenation, shortens the duration of vasopressor support, and reduces the likelihood of invasive mechanical ventilation.Therefore we provide an overview of recent studies to understand the efficacy of this drug under various circumstances, including COVID-19 and rheumatic pathologies. This article also explores and integrates the different treatment possibilities in prominent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulatory-related symptoms. The preliminary data demonstrate promising results regarding the efficacy of TCB use in severe COVID-19 patients. Nevertheless, randomized controlled trials, with adequate sample sizes and sufficient follow-up periods, are needed to form conclusions and establish treatment recommendations.

Tocilizumab Induces IL-10-Mediated Immune Tolerance in Invasive Candidiasis.

The existence of a hyperinflammatory state has been observed in patients with invasive fungal infections (IFI). It is being postulated whether morbidity from IFI may, in part, be a consequence of an unnecessarily prolonged or exaggerated proinflammatory immune response including interleukin 6 (IL-6) post-infection, in a host with dysregulated or compromised immunity. This, in turn, induces collateral host injury at the tissue and organ level, leading to adverse outcomes. Tocilizumab has become widely used as an immunomodulator in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Here, we evaluated the use of tocilizumab to curb post-infective inflammatory flare in the setting of an in-vivo mouse model for invasive candidiasis. Following Candida infection, the tocilizumab-treated mice showed improved short-term survival compared with the saline-treated control mice. There was a reduced inflammatory response mounted by the host, coupled with reduced IL-6 but increased IL-10 levels. TNF-α and IFN-γ responses were not affected. Tocilizumab facilitated immune tolerance by selectively inducing IL-10, producing CD8α+ conventional dendritic cells (DCs) and peripheral T-regulatory cells, over CD11b+ conventional DCs and plasmacytoid DCs. We demonstrate here the sequelae from immunomodulatory manipulation and the basis whereby the use of monoclonal antibodies may be further explored in IFI.

Tocilizumab for the treatment of immune-related adverse events: a systematic literature review and a multicentre case series

ObjectiveResearch is moving towards a more personalized management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in the treatment of these clinical manifestations. MethodsA systematic literature review was performed to retrieve data about the use of tocilizumab in the treatment of irAEs. Additionally, data from cancer patients referred to our Immune-related Adverse Event Clinic and treated with tocilizumab were collected. ResultsOur literature review identified 20 articles and 11 meeting abstracts. Data about 91 cancer patients who received tocilizumab for the treatment of irAEs were collected. In 85% of cases, this therapy was associated with clinical benefit and no case of disease progression was reported. ICI therapy was continued following irAE onset and biologic therapy initiation in only three patients.Five patients developed irAEs upon ICI initiation and were subsequently treated with tocilizumab at our Centre. At a median follow-up of eight months, tocilizumab was safely continued along with ICI in three out of five patients, and an adequate control of irAE was obtained in all cases. No significant adverse reactions to tocilizumab were reported. Only one patient experienced a disease progression 18 months after ICI discontinuation. ConclusionBoth our systematic literature review and case series highlight the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in the treatment of irAEs. Furthermore, they both support the possibility of a combined approach with tocilizumab and ICI, to guarantee an effective irAEs management without losing the oncologic response.

Use of intravenous tocilizumab in pregnancy for severe coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia: two\xa0case reports

BackgroundTocilizumab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor is part of many international guidelines for the management of cytokine storm associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 with observed improvements. However, this drug is not recommended during pregnancy owing to the lack of safety data. Restriction of such medication use makes the management of coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnant women more challenging. Pregnant women are more likely to deteriorate from respiratory infections because of the immunological changes during pregnancy and the hypoxic compromise. We report the use of tocilizumab in two pregnant patients who developed severe coronavirus disease 2019 with a successful outcome. To date, there have not been any published data on tocilizumab use in pregnancy for cytokine storm syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 2019.Case presentationsIn 2020, two pregnant women of Asian origin in the last trimester of pregnancy were admitted to our hospital with severe coronavirus disease 2019. Their clinical condition progressed rapidly despite maximum supportive treatments. Blood testing in the second week of illness showed rising ferritin and interleukin-6 levels, indicating the possibility of cytokine storm syndrome. Both developed respiratory failure necessitating mechanical ventilation. Due to their critical clinical condition and lack of response to supportive treatment, a decision was made to use intravenous tocilizumab therapy. Both were treated with one intravenous infusion of tocilizumab and had a successful outcome. They were extubated later and gradually weaned off supplemental oxygen. The first patient continued with her pregnancy during the hospital stay with normal fetal scans. The second patient needed an emergency cesarean section and delivered a healthy infant.ConclusionIn critical clinical situations, tocilizumab may have a role in managing coronavirus disease 2019 related cytokine storm during pregnancy.

Coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary fibrosis: clinical findings, pathogenesis, and potential treatment.

Coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary fibrosis: clinical findings, pathogenesis, and potential treatment.

ACEI/ARB Use is Associated with Reduced Mortality in COVID-19 Inpatients

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) upregulate angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, the functional receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and therefore, can affect COVID-19 outcome.Methods To examine outcome among patients with COVID-19, a case control study was conducted at Maimonides Medical Center for patients admitted from February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities, concomitant pharmacotherapy, primary and secondary outcome, and lab profile were compared between patients who received inpatient ACEI/ARB use and those who did not in all patients, and subpopulation of patients when concomitant use of hydroxychloroquine, Tocilizumab, Remdesivir or dexamethasone was excluded. Primary outcome was also compared in subgroup of patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease, or congestive heart failure.Findings Among the 4854 patients admitted with COVID-19, 571 patients (11.8%) received inpatient ACEI/ARB, and 4283 patients (88.2%) did not. The ACEI/ARB group were older, had more male patients, and had more cardiovascular comorbidities. The 30-day and 90-day mortality for ACEI/ARB users were 14.71% and 15.41%, whereas the 30-day and 90-day mortality for non-users were 21.9% and 22.53%. The mortality benefit associated with ACEI/ARB use sustained when concomitant use of Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, Tocilizumab, or dexamethasone was excluded. Inpatient ACEI/ARB use was also associated with a relative mortality reduction of 40-45% at 30 and 90 days in patients with hypertension, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure. The above differences in mortality between ACEI/ARB users and non-users were statistically significant except when concomitant use of dexamethasone was excluded. Interpretation: Inpatient use of ACEI/ARBs is associated with reduced mortality in COVID-19 patients; unless contraindicated, admitted COVID-19 patients should receive ACEI or ARB to improve outcome.Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The study is approved by IRB at Maimonides Medical Center

Compassionate use of anti-IL6 receptor antibodies in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 patients developing the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) show increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). The use of humanized monoclonal antibody against interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) may represent a potential treatment strategy. We analyzed the effects of compassionate use of tocilizumab and sarilumab on clinical outcome of patients affected by ARDS due COVID-19. This single-center, observational, exploratory study was performed during the acute phase of COVID-19 outbreak, between March 7th and April 21st, 2020 in a University Hospital in Rome, Italy. All consecutive adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 and fulfilling ARDS criteria were enrolled. Patients who were treated with anti-IL-6R therapy were compared to those who were not, as per clinical decision. Inverse probability weights were applied to weight individual's contribution to survival curves and in the multivariate regression model. Among 105 ARDS patients, 65 received compassionate treatment with anti-IL-6R therapy (43 [66%] Tocilizumab [Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland] and 22 [34%] Sarilumab, respectively], with oxygenation improvement. In the multivariable Cox proportional regression hazards model with propensity score inverse probability weighting, patients who received anti-IL-6R treatment had lower risk of death compared to those who did not, with a hazard ration of 0.34 [95% confidence interval 0.17-0.74], P=0.001. Our data suggested that immune modulator therapy based on anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies might lead to improved outcome in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19. These data support the need for confirmatory randomized trials to assess the effect of immune modulator therapies on mortality.

Tocilizumab for the treatment of non‐critical COVID‐19 pneumonia: an overview of the rationale and clinical evidence to date

ABSTRACT Introduction: Tocilizumab is one of the main repurposed therapies investigated for COVID-19 pneumonia since the start of the pandemic, but there has been conflicting evidence for its use. Areas covered: This review covers the physiology of interleukin-6 and its role in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. We discuss the use of tocilizumab in other diseases and the rationale for its use in COVID-19. We summarize the design, contrasting results, and implications of the clinical trials of tocilizumab in COVID-19 to date and discuss the current guidance for its use. Expert opinion: The evidence to date suggests benefit with the use of tocilizumab in some but not all patients with COVID-19. Benefit seems to be greatest when given early after clinical deterioration with the presence of systemic inflammation. However, questions remain around the optimal timing, patient selection, and concomitant treatments.

Early use of tocilizumab in patients with severe pneumonia secondary to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and poor prognostic criteria: Impact on mortality rate and intensive care unit admission.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, keeps spreading globally. Evidence suggests that a subgroup of patients with severe symptomatology might have cytokine storms, which increases mortality. The use of interleukin-6 (IL-6) inhibitors may help in controlling the pathological immune response to the virus. Tocilizumab, a monoclonal antibody against IL-6, stands as an optional treatment for COVID-19 patients presenting this inflammatory hyper-response.We conducted a retrospective, observational, cohort study including 50 patients affected by COVID-19 with severe pneumonia and poor prognosis criteria, who have also undergone standard treatment; 36 of these patients additionally received tocilizumab in an early stage. The need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality, recovery of respiratory function, and improvement of biochemical and hematological parameters were compared between cohorts.Most patients were men, non-smokers and the most frequently reported comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes. Recurrent symptoms were fever, cough, and dyspnoea. 54.8% of patients from the tocilizumab group needed intubation, while in the control group 85.7% needed it. Treatment with tocilizumab significatively increased IL-6 levels, (554.45; CI 95% 186.69, 1032.93; P < .05) while C-reactive protein mean levels were reduced (–108.19; CI 95% –140.15, –75.33; P < .05), but no significant difference was found between cohorts. In comparison with the controls, tocilizumab reduced mortality (25.0% vs 42.9%, P = .021) and the number of ICU admissions (63.9% vs 100.0%, P = .021). 44.1% of patients treated with tocilizumab showed favorable radiological evolution, when compared with 15.4% of patients from the control group.Tocilizumab may improve clinical symptoms and mitigate deterioration observed in severe COVID-19 patients, and could be considered as an effective therapeutic option in subjects experiencing a significant inflammatory response to the disease.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell toxicities - using steroids to spare steroids?

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell toxicities - using steroids to spare steroids?

Tocilizumab for the Management of Thyroid-Associated Orbitopathy.

To describe the efficacy of tocilizumab in the treatment of a cohort of patients with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Patients were identified with active thyroid-associated orbitopathy who were intolerant of or had progression of disease despite systemic corticosteroids and subsequently were treated with tocilizumab between January 2015 and December 2020. Clinical Activity Score, Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Scale score, and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin levels were assessed prior to initiation of tocilizumab, following the first dose, and after the completion of treatment. Eleven patients were candidates for and underwent treatment with tocilizumab, 9 of which met criteria for analysis. Average age was 55.6 years. Average time between onset of active thyroid-associated orbitopathy and completion of tocilizumab was 6.5 months. Average number of infusions was 4.2. There was a statistically significant reduction in Clinical Activity Score, Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Scale score, and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin levels when comparing pre-treatment values (mean Clinical Activity Score 6.78 ± 1.09, mean Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Scale score 10.2 ± 1.92, mean thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin level 440.6 [%]) to values immediately following completion of treatment (mean Clinical Activity Score 0.44 ± 0.53, mean difference 6.3 points, p < 0.001 [95% CI, 5.5-7.2]; mean Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy Scale score 1.2 ± 1.09, mean difference 9.0 points, p < 0.001 [95% CI, 7.2-10.8]; mean thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin level 200.7 [%], mean difference 239.9 [%], p = 0.001 [95% CI, 124.3-355.4]). One patient had elevation of cholesterol following therapy induction. Patients were followed for an average of 23.6 months after treatment. No patients had recurrence of active disease after completion of tocilizumab. This study supports the use of tocilizumab as a therapy for the inflammatory phase of thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Pharmacotherapy in Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Risk of Secondary Infections: A Single-Center Case Series and Narrative Review.

PubMed (inception to March 2021) database search and manual selection of bibliographies from selected articles. Articles relevant to coronavirus disease 2019, management of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-associated respiratory failure, and prevalence of secondary infections with pharmacotherapies were selected. The MeSH terms "COVID-19," "secondary infection," "SARS-CoV-2," "tocilizumab," and "corticosteroids" were used for article identification. Articles were narratively synthesized for this review. Current data surrounding the use of tocilizumab and/or corticosteroids for coronavirus disease 2019 management are limited given the short follow-up period and conflicting results between studies. Further complicating the understanding of immune modulator role is the lack of definitive understanding of clinical impact of the immune response in coronavirus disease 2019. Based on the current available literature, we suggest prolonged trials and follow-up intervals for those patients managed with immune modulating agents for the management of coronavirus disease 2019.

The Use of Single Therapy With Tocilizumab Versus Combination Therapy With Remdesivir and Tocilizumab in SARS-CoV-2 Patients in El Paso, Texas.

Background: Currently, the management of SARS-CoV-2 varies with no definitive clinical guidelines, as scientific evidence across the globe differs in therapeutic options. This study intended to provide some clarity to the insufficient data based on the role of monotherapy with tocilizumab (TCZ) and combination therapy with remdesivir (RDV) and TCZ among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in El Paso, Texas. We evaluated the use of each therapy in the presence of steroids as the standard of care.Methods: One hundred and fifty-four SARS-CoV-2-infected patients from four different medical centers in El Paso, Texas, were screened, with 113 eligible for this longitudinal comparative observational study (February 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020). Group 1 (80 patients) received TCZ in the first 24 hours following admission, then methylprednisolone for the next 72 hours and group 2 (33 patients) were given TCZ as detailed in the single therapy group, plus RDV within the first 24 hours. Mann Whitney U test assessed median differences in laboratory biomarkers and Bivariate Logistic Regression assessed the odds of risk. An observation is considered statistically significant when P-value is ≤0.05.Results: Patients in group 1 had a statistically significant lower odds for ventilation use than group 2 (OR=0.34, 95%CI=0.12-0.95, p=0.034), although no statistically significant difference in mortality outcomes was observed across groups (OR=0.43, 95%CI:0.13-1.39, p=0.269).Conclusions: We concluded that the use of TCZ in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in El Paso, with or without RDV, reported no mortality benefit. However, some minimal/non-use of ventilation benefit was observed in group 1. Nonetheless, a randomized controlled trial study is recommended to ultimately determine the combination role of TCZ and RDV among this highly vulnerable group of patients.

The use of corticosteroids and tocilizumab in the treatment of covid-19: review article

Esse estudo tem como objetivo realizar uma revisão da literatura acerca do papel dos corticosteroides e tocilizumabe no tratamento da doença causada pelo novo coronavírus (COVID-19). Os artigos revisados são em sua maioria observacionais, caso-controle e ensaio clínico randomizado publicados em revistas indexadas e traz as recomendações atuais de diretrizes nacionais e internacionais de manejo clínico da COVID-19. Com isso, o uso de corticosteroides teria sido rejeitado no início das pesquisas, mas atualmente tem sido adotado para pacientes com quadros mais graves da doença e recomendado em grande parte das diretrizes. Por outro lado, a identificação oportuna do estado hiper inflamatório causada pela infecção por SARS-CoV-2 e seu tratamento podem ser cruciais para interromper a cascata, levando a danos pulmonares irreversíveis e morte. Nesse caso, o tocilizumabe pode ser considerado como terapia de resgate se outros tratamentos falharem ou não estiverem disponíveis. Todavia, os estudos utilizando o tocilizumabe apesar de apresentarem bons resultados em pacientes com a forma mais grave de COVID-19, os achados ainda não foram suficientes para que seu uso fosse recomendado na maior parte das diretrizes mundiais. Portanto ainda são necessários estudos mais robustos e com maiores níveis de evidências que comprovem o benefício e segurança das drogas para o tratamento de pacientes com COVID-19.

Immunomodulatory therapy, risk factors and outcomes of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a Spanish case–control matched multicentre study (BACTCOVID)

ObjectivesThe effect of the use of immunomodulatory drugs on the risk of developing hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with COVID-19 has not been specifically assessed. We aim to identify risk factors for, and outcomes of, BSI among hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. MethodsWe performed a severity matched case–control study (1:1 ratio) nested in a large multicentre prospective cohort of hospitalized adults with COVID-19. Cases with BSI were identified from the cohort database. Controls were matched for age, sex and acute respiratory distress syndrome. A Cox proportional hazard ratio model was performed. ResultsOf 2005 patients, 100 (4.98%) presented 142 episodes of BSI, mainly caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Polymicrobial infection accounted for 23 episodes. The median time from admission to the first episode of BSI was 15 days (IQR 9–20), and the most frequent source was catheter-related infection. The characteristics of patients with and without BSI were similar, including the use of tocilizumab, corticosteroids, and combinations. In the multivariate analysis, the use of these immunomodulatory drugs was not associated with an increased risk of BSI. A Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) model showed that after adjusting for the time factor, BSI was associated with a higher in-hospital mortality risk (HR 2.59; 1.65–4.07; p < 0.001). DiscussionHospital-acquired BSI in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia was uncommon and the use of immunomodulatory drugs was not associated with its development. When adjusting for the time factor, BSI was associated with a higher mortality risk.