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Indolfi C, Dinardo G, Klain A, Decimo F, Miraglia Del Giudice M. Treatment of Severe Asthma: Case Report of Fast Action of Mepolizumab in a Patient with Recent SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:1063. [PMID: 39337848 PMCID: PMC11433087 DOI: 10.3390/life14091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 08/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of childhood with a heterogeneous impact on health and quality of life. Mepolizumab is an antagonist of interleukin-5, indicated as an adjunct therapy for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in adolescents and children aged >6 years old. We present the case of a 9 year-old boy with severe asthma who experienced several asthmatic exacerbations following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, necessitating therapy with short-acting bronchodilators, oral corticosteroids, and hospitalization. We follow the patient using validated questionnaires for the evaluation of asthma control: Children Asthma Control Test, Asthma Control Questionnaire, respiratory function tests, and evaluation of exhaled nitric oxide fraction. After 12 weeks from the start of therapy with mepolizumab, we found significant improvements in lung function, a reduction in the degree of bronchial inflammation, and improvements in quality of life. No asthmatic exacerbations have been reported since the initiation of treatment with mepolizumab. Respiratory infections, such as those related to SARS-CoV-2, represent a significant risk factor for exacerbations in patients with moderate to severe forms of asthma. In our experience, following new episodes of exacerbation, the initiation of treatment with mepolizumab has allowed us to improve asthma control and enhance the quality of life of patients from the first doses. Although mepolizumab showed promise in this child with severe asthma during SARS-CoV-2 infection, the results from this single case cannot be generalized. Further studies are needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Indolfi
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Klain
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabio Decimo
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Indolfi C, Klain A, Dinardo G, D’Addio E, Ferrara S, Decimo F, Ciprandi G, Tosca MA, Miraglia del Giudice M. COVID-19 Pediatric Follow-Up: Respiratory Long COVID-Associated Comorbidities and Lung Ultrasound Alterations in a Cohort of Italian Children. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:166. [PMID: 38397278 PMCID: PMC10887372 DOI: 10.3390/children11020166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
In children, the factors that influence COVID-19 disease and its medium- and long-term effects are little known. Our investigation sought to evaluate the presence of comorbidity factors associated with respiratory long COVID manifestations in children and to study ultrasound abnormalities following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Children, who arrived at the 'Respiratory Diseases of Pediatric Interest Unit' at the Department of Woman, Child, and General and Specialized Surgery of the University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', were selected during the timeframe from September 2021 to October 2022. The children were diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection that occurred at least one month before the visit. All patients followed a COVID-19 follow-up protocol, developed by the Italian Society of Pediatric Respiratory Diseases (SIMRI), which included: collection of data regarding SARS-CoV-2 illness and history of known respiratory and allergic diseases; physical examination; BMI assessment; baseline spirometry and after bronchodilation test; six-minute walking test; and lung ultrasound (LUS). In a cohort of 104 participants with respiratory long COVID symptoms (64.7% male, average age 8.92 years), 46.1% had fever with other symptoms, and 1% required hospitalization. BMI analysis showed 58.4% of the cohort was overweight. The LUS was positive in 27.0% of cases. A significant BMI association was observed with COVID-19 symptoms and LUS score (p-value < 0.05). No associations were found with asthma or atopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Indolfi
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Angela Klain
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Giulio Dinardo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Elisabetta D’Addio
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Serena Ferrara
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Fabio Decimo
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
| | - Giorgio Ciprandi
- Department of Medicine, Allergy Clinic, Casa di Cura Villa Montallegro, 16145 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Maria Angela Tosca
- Pediatric Allergy Center, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Michele Miraglia del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy; (C.I.); (G.D.); (E.D.); (S.F.); (F.D.); (M.M.d.G.)
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