scholarly journals Effectiveness of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 Patients in Hunan, China

Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 155932582097992
Author(s):  
Xingsheng Hu ◽  
Chunhong Hu ◽  
Dixuan Jiang ◽  
Qian Zuo ◽  
Ya Li ◽  
...  

Objective: To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods: We included 4 severe patients and 3 critical patients. The date of admission to hospital ranged from January 30 to February 19, 2020. We retrospectively collected clinical and outcome data. Relative parameters were compared. Results: After CP therapy, the symptoms and respiratory functions were improved. Median PaO2/FIO2 increased from 254 (142-331) to 326 (163–364), and dependence of oxygen supply decreased. Median time to lesion’s first absorption was 5 (2–7) days, undetectable viral RNA was 11 (3.5–15.7) days. Median lymphocyte count (0.77 × 109/L vs 0.85 × 109/L) and albumin level (31g/L vs 36 g/L) were elevated, C-reactive protein (44 mg/L vs 18 mg/L), D-dimer (5.9 mg/L vs 4 mg/L) and lactate dehydrogenase (263 U/L vs 245 U/L) decreased. No obvious adverse reactions were observed. At the follow-up on June 14, 2020, 6 patients had completely recovered and one died from terminal disease. Conclusion: CP therapy for COVID-19 was effective and safe. Three patients who did not combine with antiviral therapy after CP also obtained viral clearance and clinical improvement. However, CP therapy failed to save the life of a terminally ill patient.

2021 ◽  

Objectives: The COVID-19 disease can manifest itself with acute respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, and septic shock in critically ill patients. There are opinions that there is a correlation between high IL-6 levels and disease severity. In our intensive care unit, we evaluated the changes in the laboratory data and radiological involvement severity of our patients who underwent tocilizumab treatment and examined the appropriate laboratory parameter in the treatment follow-up and its effect on survival. Methods: In the critical patient follow-up of COVID-19, 17 of the 23 patients treated with tocilizumab had a mortal course (Group 1) and the remaining 6 (Group 2) were. The C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, IL-6, D-dimer, procalcitonin, albumin, and ferritin values, which were routinely screened in our clinic on the day of tocilizumab treatment and the 5th day after, were recorded. Both the change between the two groups and the change between days 1 and 5 were analyzed. Results: A total of 23 patients (55.35 ± 13.31 years) were included in the study. The computed tomography severity score assessed at the intensive care unit admission was statistically significantly higher in Group 2. The procalcitonin and lactate dehydrogenase values measured on day 5 after tocilizumab were significantly lower in Group 2. On the 5th day after treatment, the levels of C-reactive protein, ferritin, chest X-rays, IL-6 and D-dimer statistically significantly changed compared to the first day of the treatment. In correlation with the decrease in PCT as of the 5th day after tocilizumab administration, an increasing tendency was observed in 28-day survival. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that tocilizumab treatment may positively contribute to the treatment by decreasing cytokine levels. PCT and LDH follow-up before and after treatment in critically ill patients who are receiving tocilizumab treatment can give an idea about survival.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 5456-5456
Author(s):  
Mustafa Merter ◽  
Erden Atilla ◽  
Ugur Sahin ◽  
Sinem Civriz Bozdag ◽  
Meltem Kurt Yuksel ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Antithymocyte globulin (ATG) is commonly used for graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However side effects of ATG is frequent and is caused by the cross reaction with lymphocytes and macrophages. Despite premedication with corticosteroids, acetaminophen and antihistamine drugs; complications like fever, chills, skin rashes, anaphylactic shock, nephritis and serum sickness occur frequently during or after ATG infusion. Hence, we have recently decided to use higher doses of methylprednisolone as premedication, with the aim of reducing frequency and severity of acute -and late- complications related to ATG administration. In this retrospective study we compared two different premedication protocols in terms of adverse reactions, clinical and laboratory changes that was observed during/after ATG infusion. Patients and methods 28 patients were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups according to premedication protocol (Table 1). All patients received ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F; Fresenius Biotech GmbH, Munich, Germany) over 10 hours for 3 days. As clinical parameters fever, heart rate, blood pressure, weight gain, existence of skin rashes, chills, dyspnea, thrombocyte transfusion requirement and diuretic use were recorded from the first day to fourth day of ATG-F infusion. As laboratory parameters leucocyte and thrombocyte counts, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, fibrinogen, D-dimer, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time values were evaluated from the first day to fourth day of ATG-F infusion. Day 1 values were obtained before ATG infusion and day 4 values were obtained after the day that ATG infusion finished. Lymphocyte counts at the beginning of conditioning regimen and before first ATG-F infusion day were also recorded. Mann-Whitney U and chi-square test were used for comparisons between two groups. Table 1. Premedication protocols Protocol A 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone, 45 mg pheniramine and 1000 mg acetaminophen one hour before ATG-F. 45 mg pheniramine and 1000 mg acetaminophen were repeated at middle of ATG-F infusion Protocol B 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone, 45 mg pheniramine 12 hours before ATG-F infusion 3 mg/kg methylprednisolone, 45 mg pheniramine 12 hours before ATG-F infusion 1 mg/kg methylprednisolone, 45 mg pheniramine at middle of ATG-F infusion Results Patients' characteristics of two groups are shown in table 2. Median age, patient number, gender and underlying disease distribution was similar for both groups. There was no significant difference between two groups according to laboratory parameters. For the clinical parameters, only day 2 "weight gain" was significantly higher in protocol B group and remaining parameters were insignificant. Frequency of hyperglycemia was similar. Regardless of the premedication protocol, D-dimer and CRP values increased to very high levels toward day 3 and then started to decrease (Figure 1). D-dimer and LDH levels at day 2 (p<0.05, p<0.001), day 3 (p<0.05, p<0.001) and day 4 (p<0.001, p<0.001) were positively correlated with pre-ATG lymphocyte count at the first day. Table 2. Patients' characteristics Protocol A P value Protocol B n 13 15 Age (median) 27 NS 38 Sex (M/F) 6/7 NS 7/8 Underlying diseaseAcute myeloid leukemia Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Chronic myeloid leukemiaFanconi aplastic anemiaAplastic anemia Myelodysplastic syndrome Hodgkin lymphoma Myelofibrosis 5 3 2 2 0 1 0 0 NS 4 3 1 0 3 1 2 1 Conditioning regimenMyeloablative Reduced intensity 7 6 NS 12 3 Disease statusFirst remission Second remission Primary refractory Partial response 4 2 4 0 NS 4 1 4 2 Total ATG-F dose30 mg/kg 60 mg/kg 90 mg/kg 5 6 2 NS 5 8 2 NS: Not significant Discussion Our study showed that high dose corticosteroid use for ATG-F premedication is not effective in prevention of adverse events. ATG caused D-dimer, CRP and LDH elevations that could be related to cytokine release and this effect was positively correlated with pre-ATG lymphocyte number. Probably lysis of lymphocytes and destruction of T regulatory cells by ATG may initiate and enhance this reaction. This correlation may help to predict adverse reactions due to ATG. CRP: C-reactive protein Figure 1. Level of C-reactive protein Figure 1. Level of C-reactive protein Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Author(s):  
Suphi Bahadirli ◽  
Erdem Kurt

Abstract Objective: Determining the parameters that can predict the requirement of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presented to the emergency departments (EDs). Methods: In adult consecutive patients admitted (March 15 - April 15, 2020) to the ED of a state hospital for COVID-19, we retrospectively analyzed demographic data, symptoms, laboratory tests, and chest computed tomography (CT) on arrival. Results: We included 458 patients [213 (46.5%) females, median age 48 y]. Body temperature, respiration rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin values, and the number of comorbidities were significantly higher in patients admitted to the ICU than others. Also, diffuse infiltration in chest CT is more common in patients who need ICU follow-up. As a result of the binary regression analysis, a statistically significant correlation was found between the presence of dyspnea (odds ratio [OR]: 12.55), tachypnea (relative risk [RR] ≥ 18) (OR: 14.54), multiple comorbidities (≥2) (OR: 23.39), diffuse infiltration in CT (OR: 14.52), and CRP (≥45 mg/L) (OR: 4.71); and the need for ICU admission. Conclusion: It has been concluded that the presence of dyspnea and tachypnea, elevated CRP, presence of multiple comorbidities, and diffuse infiltration in CT may predict the need for ICU admissions of the patients, who presented to the EDs.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Huang ◽  
Xiaoyu Lyu ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Yujun Wang ◽  
...  

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently become a public emergency and a worldwide pandemic. However, the information on the risk factors associated with the mortality of COVID-19 and of their prognostic potential is limited. In this retrospective study, the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome data were collected and analyzed from 676 COVID-19 patients stratified into 140 non-survivors and 536 survivors. We found that the levels of Dimerized plasmin fragment D (D-dimer), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin (PCT) were significantly higher in non-survivals on admission (non-survivors vs. survivors: D-Dimer ≥ 0.5 mg/L, 83.2% vs. 44.9%, P<0.01; CRP ≥10 mg/L, 50.4% vs. 6.0%, P<0.01; LDH ≥ 250 U/L, 73.8% vs. 20.1%, P<0.01; PCT ≥ 0.5 ng/ml, 27.7% vs. 1.8%, P<0.01). Moreover, dynamic tracking showed D-dimer kept increasing in non-survivors, while CRP, LDH and PCT remained relatively stable after admission. D-dimer has the highest C-index to predict in-hospital mortality, and patients with D-dimer levels ≥0.5 mg/L had a higher incidence of mortality (Hazard Ratio: 4.39, P<0.01). Our study suggested D-dimer could be a potent marker to predict the mortality of COVID-19, which may be helpful for the management of patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Earnest ◽  
S. Kupper ◽  
M. Thompson ◽  
Guo ◽  
S. Church

Homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and triglycerides (TG) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While multivitamins (MVit) may reduce HCY and hsCRP, omega-3 fatty acids (N3) reduce TG; yet, they are seldom studied simultaneously. We randomly assigned 100 participants with baseline HCY (> 8.0 umol/L) to the daily ingestion of: (1) placebo, (2) MVit (VitC: 200 mg; VitE: 400 IU; VitB6: 25 mg; Folic Acid: 400 ug; VitB12: 400 ug) + placebo, (3) N3 (2 g N3, 760 mg EPA, 440 mg DHA)+placebo, or (4) MVit + N3 for 12 weeks. At follow-up, we observed significant reductions in HCY (umol/L) for the MVit (- 1.43, 95 %CI, - 2.39, - 0.47) and MVit + N3 groups (- 1.01, 95 %CI, - 1.98, - 0.04) groups, both being significant (p < 0.05) vs. placebo (- 0.57, 95 %CI, - 1.49, 0.35) and N3 (1.11, 95 % CI, 0.07, 2.17). hsCRP (nmol/L) was significantly reduced in the MVit (- 6.00, 95 %CI, - 1.04, - 0.15) and MVit + N3 (- 0.98, 95 %CI, - 1.51, - 0.46) groups, but not vs. placebo (- 0.15, 95 %CI, - 0.74, 0.43) or N3 (- 0.53, 95 %CI, - 1.18, 0.12). Lastly, we observed significant reductions in TG for the N3 (- 0.41, 95 %CI, - 0.69, - 0.13) and MVit + N3 (- 0.71, 95 %CI, - 0.93, - 0.46) groups, both significant vs. placebo (- 0.10, 95 %CI, - 0.36, 0.17) and MVit groups (0.15, 95 %CI, - 12, 0.42). The co-ingestion of MVit + N3 provides synergistic affects on HCY, hsCRP, and plasma TG.


VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleš Pleskovič ◽  
Marija Šantl Letonja ◽  
Andreja Cokan Vujkovac ◽  
Jovana Nikolajević Starčević ◽  
Katarina Gazdikova ◽  
...  

Abstract. Background: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of inflammatory markers on the presence and progression of subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis in a 3.8-year follow-up period in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and methods: A total of 595 subjects with T2DM were enrolled. Subclinical markers of carotid atherosclerosis (carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), plaque thickness, and plaques presence) were assessed with ultrasound at the time of recruitment and again after 3.8 years. Subjects with T2DM were divided into 2 groups according to the plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (subjects with hs-CRP ≥ 2 mg/L and subjects with hs-CRP below 2 mg/L). Results: Subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels ≥ 2 mg/L had higher CIMT in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L, and higher incidence of plaques/unstable plaques in comparison with subjects with T2DM and hs-CRP levels below 2 mg/L. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found the association between the HDL cholesterol level and presence of plaques, whereas the inflammatory marker hs-CRP was not associated with subclinical markers of progression of carotid atherosclerosis. Multiple linear regression analysis found the association between the hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up. Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between the inflammatory marker hs-CRP and either CIMT or incidence of plaques/unstable plaques at the time of recruitment in Caucasians with T2DM. Moreover, we found the association between hs-CRP levels and either CIMT progression rate or a change in the number of sites with plaques in a 3.8-year follow-up in subjects with T2DM.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2780
Author(s):  
Andrzej Krajewski ◽  
Krzysztof Piorun ◽  
Dominika Maciejewska-Markiewicz ◽  
Marta Markowska ◽  
Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka ◽  
...  

Background: Burned patients have an increased need for vitamin D supply related to the maintenance of calcium–phosphate homeostasis and the regulation of cell proliferation/differentiation. This study aimed to analyze the concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and its relationship with severe condition after burn injury. Methods: 126 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were qualified due to thermal burns—over 10% of total body surface area. On the day of admission, the following parameters were assessed: 25-hydroxycholecalciferol concentration, total protein concentration, albumin concentration, aspartate transaminase activity, alanine transaminase activity, albumin concentration, creatinine concentration, c-reactive protein concentration, procalcitonin concentration, and interleukin-6 concentration. Results: Almost all patients (92%) in the study group had an improper level of vitamin D (<30 ng/mL), with the average of 11.6 ± 10.7 ng/mL; 17.5% of patients had levels of vitamin D below the limit of determination—under 3 ng/mL. The study showed that there are several factors which correlated with vitamin D concentration during the acute phase of burn injury, including: total protein (r = 0.42, p < 0.01), albumin, (r = 0.62, p < 0.01), percentage of body burns (r = 0.36, p < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), and c-reactive protein (r = 0.22, p < 0.05). We did not find any significant correlation between vitamin D concentration and body mass index. Conclusions: The burn injury has an enormous impact on the metabolism and the risk factors of the deficiency for the general population (BMI) have an effect on burned patients. Our study showed that concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is strongly correlated with serum albumin level, even more than total burn surface area and burn degrees as expected. We suspect that increased supplementation of vitamin D should be based on albumin level and last until albumin levels are balanced.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Christine Bay-Jensen ◽  
Asger Bihlet ◽  
Inger Byrjalsen ◽  
Jeppe Ragnar Andersen ◽  
Bente Juhl Riis ◽  
...  

AbstractThe heterogeneous nature of osteoarthritis (OA) and the need to subtype patients is widely accepted in the field. The biomarker CRPM, a metabolite of C-reactive protein (CRP), is released to the circulation during inflammation. Blood CRPM levels have shown to be associated with disease activity and response to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated the level of blood CRPM in OA compared to RA using data from two phase III knee OA and two RA studies (N = 1591). Moreover, the association between CRPM levels and radiographic progression was investigated. The mean CRPM levels were significantly lower in OA (8.5 [95% CI 8.3–8.8] ng/mL, n = 781) compared to the RA patients (12.8 [9.5–16.0] ng/mL, n = 60); however, a significant subset of OA patients (31%) had CRPM levels (≥ 9 ng/mL) comparable to RA. Furthermore, OA patients (n = 152) with CRPM levels ≥ 9 ng/mL were more likely to develop contra-lateral knee OA assessed by X-ray over a two-year follow-up period with an odds ratio of 2.2 [1.0–4.7]. These data suggest that CRPM is a blood-based biochemical marker for early identification OA patients with an inflammatory phenotype.


Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067
Author(s):  
Oleksandr Oliynyk ◽  
Wojciech Barg ◽  
Anna Slifirczyk ◽  
Yanina Oliynyk ◽  
Vitaliy Gurianov ◽  
...  

Background: Cytokine storm in COVID-19 is heterogenous. There are at least three subtypes: cytokine release syndrome (CRS), macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), and sepsis. Methods: A retrospective study comprising 276 patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. All patients were tested for ferritin, interleukin-6, D-Dimer, fibrinogen, calcitonin, and C-reactive protein. According to the diagnostic criteria, three groups of patients with different subtypes of cytokine storm syndrome were identified: MAS, CRS or sepsis. In the MAS and CRS groups, treatment results were assessed depending on whether or not tocilizumab was used. Results: MAS was diagnosed in 9.1% of the patients examined, CRS in 81.8%, and sepsis in 9.1%. Median serum ferritin in patients with MAS was significantly higher (5894 vs. 984 vs. 957 ng/mL, p < 0.001) than in those with CRS or sepsis. Hypofibrinogenemia and pancytopenia were also observed in MAS patients. In CRS patients, a higher mortality rate was observed among those who received tocilizumab, 21 vs. 10 patients (p = 0.043), RR = 2.1 (95% CI 1.0–4.3). In MAS patients, tocilizumab decreased the mortality, 13 vs. 6 patients (p = 0.013), RR = 0.50 (95% CI 0.25–0.99). Сonclusions: Tocilizumab therapy in patients with COVID-19 and CRS was associated with increased mortality, while in MAS patients, it contributed to reduced mortality.


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