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Cytokine release syndrome in severe COVID-19: Is tocilizumab effective?
Key clinical point: Cytokine release syndrome is a common feature of severe COVID-19 and may be offset by tocilizumab.
Major finding: In a pilot study of 21 COVID-19 patients treated with tocilizumab, 90% showed absorption of pulmonary lesions on CT scan and fever was relieved in all.
Study details: Metabolic assessment of CRS and a review of trials.
Disclosures: This study was supported by China Mega-Project for Infectious Diseases and the China Mega-Project for Innovative Drugs. The authors reported that they had no conflicts.
Citation:
Zhang C et al. Int J Antimicrobial Agents. 2020. doi. org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2020.105954.