A Review of Respiratory Biologic Agents in Severe Asthma

Children with severe asthma may be treated with biologic agents normally requiring 2–4 weekly injections in hospital. In March 2020, due to COVID-19, we needed to minimise hospital visits. We assessed whether biologics could be given safely at home. The multidisciplinary team identified children to be considered for home administration. This was virtually observed using a video link, and home spirometry was also performed. Feedback was obtained from carers and young people. Of 23 patients receiving biologics, 16 (70%) families agreed to homecare administration, 14 administered by parents/patients and 2 by a local nursing team. Video calls for omalizumab were observed on 56 occasions, mepolizumab on 19 occasions over 4 months (April–July). Medication was administered inaccurately on 2/75 occasions without any adverse events. Virtually observed home biologic administration in severe asthmatic children, supported by video calls and home spirometry, is feasible, safe and is positively perceived by children and their families

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COVID-19 in a patient with severe asthma using mepolizumab

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings ◽

10.2500/aap.2021.42.200125 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kurtulus Aksu ◽

Selma Yesilkaya ◽

Musa Topel ◽

Suleyman Turkyilmaz ◽

Dilek Cuhadar Ercelebi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Effects ◽

Asthma Control ◽

Liver Enzyme ◽

Severe Asthma ◽

Elevated Liver Enzyme ◽

Biologic Agents ◽

Allergy Clinic ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Positive Effect

Background: There is a lack of information about the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with severe asthma who were treated with biologics. Some reports indicated that treatment with benralizumab, dupilumab, and omalizumab in patients with severe asthma was not associated with significant adverse effects during COVID-19.Methods: Asthma itself or the biologic agents used to treat asthma can have a positive effect on the course of COVID-19.There seem not to be any cases that specifically reported the use of mepolizumab in a patient who was infected with COVID.Results: We reported of a 55-year-old woman with a diagnosis of severe asthma for; 3 years and who was being treated withmepolizumab, with no evidence of loss of asthma control, at the time of contracting COVID-19 and who had been followed up inthe allergy clinic. In addition, there are no data on mepolizumab therapy in patients with elevated liver enzyme levels.Conclusion: With this case, we also reported that no adverse effects were observed during mepolizumab treatment in a patient with elevated liver enzyme levels.

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