Tocilizumab use in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associated cytokine activation can lead to a rapid progression into respiratory failure, shock and multiorgan failure. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that likely contributes to the pathogenesis of cytokine release syndrome. It is hypothesized that modulating IL-6 levels or its effects with tocilizumab, a recombinant humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, may alter the course of disease.

METHODS

We examined the association between tocilizumab use and intubation or death at a community hospital in New York City. Data were obtained regarding consecutive patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The primary end point was a composite of intubation or death in a time-to-event analysis. We compared outcomes in patients who received tocilizumab with those in patients who did not, using a multivariable Cox model with inverse probability weighting according to the propensity score.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this single-centre retrospective cohort study involving 1225 hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, the probability to respiratory failure, which was measured as intubation or death, was less frequent in patients who received tocilizumab.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Tocilizumab and other IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies may evolve as a viable option in treating patients with moderate and severe COVID-19.

Small Duct Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis in Association With Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Case Report

Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by cholestatic liver function tests, histological evidence of PSC but absence of classic cholangiographic findings. Large duct or classic PSC in association with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has rarely been reported. However to the best of our knowledge small duct PSC in association with HCV infection has not been reported. We report this case of small duct PSC in a patient with HCV infection. HCV infection in our patient was successfully treated with ribavirin and peg interferon alfa-2a, as evidenced by undetectable HCV ribonucleic acid levels. However, the patient had persistently elevated liver function tests suggestive of cholestasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed normal architecture of bile ducts. Hence patient underwent liver biopsy and its histopahological findings were suggestive of PSC. He had colonoscopy along with biopsy and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was ruled out.