Compassionate use of REGN-COV2 in the treatment of COVID-19 in a patient with impaired humoral immunity. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Hanna; Salkeld, Jo; Agarwal, Sangita; Goodman, Anna
• Is Part Of: Clinical infection in practice. Volume 12(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: SARS-CoV2 -- COVID-19 -- Agammaglobulinemia -- REGN-COV2 -- Remdesivir; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases; Infections; Communicable diseases; Infection; Electronic journals; Periodical; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinpr.2021.100089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2590-1702

Abstract

Highlights: Prolonged COVID-19 infection may occur in patients with primary immunodeficiency. Antiviral treatment alone may be insufficient in patients lacking humoral immunity. Antibody treatment, e.g. REGN-COV2, may aid in treating COVID-19 in these patients. Prolonged immunosuppression may have unintended adverse effects. Clinicians should consider early antibody treatment in those with immunodeficiency. Abstract: Background: The role of antibodies in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) has yet to be characterised and clinical courses observed in this cohort of patients have been heterogeneous. Whilst some exhibit spontaneous recovery, others have experienced a more protracted disease length. Previous reports have described successful use of convalescent plasma, however there is a paucity of information around the use of the REGN-COV2 antibody cocktail in these patients. Case report: A patient with XLA was admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and remained persistently symptomatic with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) swab positivity despite treatment with Remdesivir and dexamethasone. Attempts at modulating the immune response with anakinra were unsuccessful. Consent for compassionate use of REGN-COV2 was obtained with administration taking place on day 87 of his illness. This was followed by a period of convalescence and SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab negativity. As a consequence of prolonged immunosuppression, the patient developed pneumocystis pneumonia. Conclusion: This case highlights the role of antibodies in clearing SARS-CoV-2 in a hypogammaglobulinaemic host and demonstrates the consequences of prolonged immunosuppression and delayed treatment. We propose that this may be of particular significance given the capacity of SARS-CoV-2 to develop advantageous mutations in a chronically infected host.