Interferon gamma immunotherapy in five critically ill COVID-19 patients with impaired cellular immunity: A case series.
Med (N Y)
; 2(10): 1163-1170.e2, 2021 10 08.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1433668
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding has been described in immunocompromised coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, resulting in protracted disease and poor outcome. Specific therapy to improve viral clearance and outcome for this group of patients is currently unavailable.METHODS:
Five critically ill COVID-19 patients with severe defects in cellular immune responses, high SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA loads, and no respiratory improvement were treated with interferon gamma, 100 µg subcutaneously, thrice weekly. Bronchial secretion was collected every 48 h for routine diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and viral culture.FINDINGS:
Interferon gamma administration was followed by a rapid decline in SARS-CoV-2 load and a positive-to-negative viral culture conversion. Four patients recovered, and no signs of hyperinflammation were observed.CONCLUSIONS:
Interferon gamma may be considered as adjuvant immunotherapy in a subset of immunocompromised COVID-19 patients.FUNDING:
A.v.L. and R.v.C. are supported by National Institutes of Health (R01AI145781). G.J.O. and R.P.v.R. are supported by a VICI grant (016.VICI.170.090) from the Dutch Research Council (NWO). W.F.A. is supported by a clinical fellowship grant (9071561) of Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development. M.G.N. is supported by an ERC advanced grant (833247) and a Spinoza grant of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Med (N Y)
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.medj.2021.09.003
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS