| Title: | Potential for Increased Risk of Infection Following Tocilizumab Treatment in COVID-19 |
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| Author(s): | N Smyth, E Smyth |
| Institution: | Altnagelvin Hospital / University of Glasgow |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | COVID 19 |
| Abstract: | Tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 inhibitor, is proven to improve survival and other clinical outcomes in COVID-19. However, increased risk of infection is a known and common side effect. This study investigated the occurrence of post-treatment complications (i.e. infection) in patients treated with tocilizumab. We reviewed the electronic care records of all patients (n=37) who were given tocilizumab in a five month period (January-March 2021), screening for documented infections, positive microbiology results and antibiotic prescriptions in the three months after treatment. Results showed that 59.45% (n=22) of patients given tocilizumab had evidence of infection in this period, with 40.90% of these patients having evidence of multiple infections. The most commonly identified source of infection was the respiratory tract (63.63% of patients with infection). An array of organisms were identified, the most common being coliforms (45.45% of infections). These results appear to show that tocilizumab does carry an increased risk of bacterial and fungal infection after treatment. Some patients went on to develop multiple and/or severe superimposed infections which may have contributed to higher morbidity and mortality. While further investigation is required, clinicians should consider these risks when prescribing tocilizumab. |
