Interferon gamma immunotherapy in five critically ill COVID-19 patients with impaired cellular immunity: A case series.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prolonged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) shedding has been described in immunocompromised coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, resulting in protracted disease and poor outcome. Specific therapy to improve viral clearance and outcome for this group of patients is currently unavailable.

Methods

Five critically ill COVID-19 patients with severe defects in cellular immune responses, high SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA loads, and no respiratory improvement were treated with interferon gamma, 100 μg subcutaneously, thrice weekly. Bronchial secretion was collected every 48 h for routine diagnostic SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and viral culture.

Findings

Interferon gamma administration was followed by a rapid decline in SARS-CoV-2 load and a posit

SUBMITTER: van Laarhoven A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8452508 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature