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Transient leukocytopenia following combination therapy for COVID-19

Kazuo Tsuchiya¹, Tomoyuki Fujisawa¹, Yasutaka Mochizuka¹

¹Second Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.

Respiratory Investigation

|October 15, 2021

Abstract

Background:

Combination therapy with dexamethasone, remdesivir, and baricitinib has become a promising treatment for moderate or severe COVID-19; however, we have observed transient leukocytopenia in COVID-19 patients who received combination therapy.

Methods:

Twelve consecutive COVID-19 patients treated with combination therapy were included in this retrospective analysis. Blood cell counts collected at the following three time points were analyzed: before the start of therapy (period 1), within 24 h of starting therapy (period 2), and within 48 h of period 2 (period 3).

Results:

The leukocyte count significantly decreased in period 2 compared to period 1 and then significantly increased in period 3 without withdrawal of baricitinib. The neutrophil count transiently decreased in period 2 and recovered in period 3.

Conclusions:

Clinicians should be aware of transient leukocytopenia in patients with COVID-19 during the early phase of combination therapy.

Keywords:

Baricitinib COVID-19 Leukocytopenia Remdesivir

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