Abstract
Extensive immune response associated with inflammation is the primary
reason for the pathological outcome of COVID-19 infection. Infliximab is
an antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) drug used to reduce inflammation
through TNF-α inhibition. Inhibition of main inflammatory cytokine such
as TNF-α may have a potential effect in COVID-19 treatment. Here, we
report the clinical outcome of Infliximab treatment in a 65-year-old
woman with confirmed COVID-19 infection. Infliximab therapy was started
on day ninth; the patient demonstrated clinical improvement and recovery
from COVID-19. Our findings\ suggest that the association
of TNF-α inhibition and clinical management contributes to COVID-19
patient survival.
Introduction
Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), also known as Acute Respiratory
Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was first reported in February 2019
in Wuhan, China1. Common symptoms of COVID-19 include
fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, myalgia, sputum production,
headache, diarrhea, anorexia, ARDS, arrhythmia, acute kidney damage,
varying degrees of liver damage, and septic shock2,3.
Antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), such as
infliximab, are increasingly being used to treat rheumatologic
conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and
other diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and
psoriasis4. Conversely, infliximab might also remit an
aggravate immune response during COVID-19 infection, resulting in a
potentially protective effect. The efficacy of infliximab in the
COVID-19 treatment is unclear. In this study, we report a case of severe
covid-19 who was treated with infliximab, leading to disease remission
and discharge of a patient in good condition.