ISSN : 2663-2187

Tocilizumab, as a promising therapeutic tool for cytokine release syndrome in COVID-19 patients, mediated by interleukin-6, and its effect on hemodynamics, particularly temperature, for the diagnosis of sepsis

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Mennatallah Bahgat Mohamed, Randa Aly Soliman, Mohamd Gamal Lotfy ElAnsary

Abstract

Tocilizumab is an interleukin-6 inhibitor approved for use in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, adults with giant cell arteritis, children ages two and above with Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and recently for patients severely affected by COVID-19. It has reduced mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation but the effects of Tocilizumab on routinely monitored hemodynamic parameters in the critically ill COVID-19 population are unclear. Tocilizumab started being administered to acutely deteriorating COVID-19 patients, presenting with cytokine release syndrome, evident by clinical deterioration and increased IL6 level, in June 2020. This study aims to assess the effect of Tocilizumab as a therapeutic tool on cytokine release syndrome, on the level of Interleukin 6 post Tocilizumab administration as well as its effects on hemodynamics, particularly temperature, especially after the development of secondary bacterial infection as evident by clinical deterioration, increase in oxygen requirements, worsening of chest imaging and positive cultures/biofires. Methods:50 patients who received Tocilizumab and developed secondary bacterial infection were recruited in this study. Routine laboratory workup as well as routine monitoring of vital signs was recorded every 2 hours during the whole ICU stay. Interleukin 6 (IL6) level was measured before TCZ therapy, after increase in oxygen requirements (cytokine storm) and after TCZ therapy. ELISA kits for the measurement of human Interleukin 6 were used. The normal level of Interleukin 6 in the blood varies between 0 and 43.5 pg/ml. Cultures were withdrawn once secondary bacterial infection was suspected (around Day 10 from Tocilizumab administration). Non-parametric univariate analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results: IL6 levels were significantly lower after Tocilizumab therapy. Temperature is significantly affected by administration of Tocilizumab, remaining within normal values even after the development of secondary bacterial infection. Other vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were not affected. Conclusion: Tocilizumab may be used as a therapeutic tool in Cytokine Release Syndrome mediated by Interleukin 6 in COVID-19 patients. Fever may not be a reliable indicator of bacterial superinfection in severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients who have been given Tocilizumab.

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