Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays
06:03

Author Spotlight: Advancing Immune Monitoring in Critical Care Patients Using Whole Blood Assays

Published on: September 20, 2024

1.4K

Impact of dexamethasone and tocilizumab on hematological parameters in COVID-19 patients with chronic disease

Haitham M H Qutob1,2, Ramadan A Saad2,3, Hamza Bali4

  • 1Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 25732, Saudi Arabia.

Medicina Clinica (English Ed.)
|December 20, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Adding Dexamethasone and Tocilizumab to standard COVID-19 treatment significantly improved hematological biomarkers in patients with chronic diseases. This combination therapy showed a notable reduction in C-reactive protein levels.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Effective control of COVID-19 severity and mortality relies on sensitive diagnostics and appropriate treatment.
  • Identifying optimal treatment protocols for COVID-19 patients with chronic conditions is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of adding corticosteroids and Tocilizumab to standard treatment for COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases.
  • To assess changes in hematological and laboratory biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective study of 68 COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases.
  • Patients were divided into four groups: control, standard treatment (Group 1), Dexamethasone (Group 2), and Dexamethasone plus Tocilizumab (Group 3).
  • Analysis of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil counts, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

Main Results:

  • Group 3 showed significantly increased WBC and neutrophil counts compared to Group 1 (p=0.004, p=0.001).
  • Initial CRP levels were higher in Group 3 than Group 1 (p=0.030).
  • After 10 days, CRP levels decreased significantly in Group 3 (p=0.002).

Conclusions:

  • The combination of Dexamethasone and Tocilizumab shows effectiveness in treating COVID-19 patients with chronic diseases.
  • This therapeutic approach warrants further investigation for managing severe COVID-19 in this patient population.
Abstract

Keywords:
ARDS, severe acute respiratory distress syndromeCBC, complete blood countCOVID-19COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019CRPCRP, C-reactive proteinDexamethasoneLymphocytesNeutrophilsSARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2TocilizumabWBCs

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses09:43

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Polyfunctionality and Heterogeneity in Immune Responses

Published on: March 8, 2024

1.8K
Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography09:34

Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography

Published on: February 17, 2022

3.4K

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
349
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids01:26

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...
275
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
297
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
188
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
241
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...
13