The Course of SARS-COV2 Infection Was Not Severe in a Crohn's Patient Who Administered Maintenance Anti-TNF Therapy Overlapping the Early Pre-Symptomatic Period of Infection.

Authors

F. Okeke
A. Mone, Northwell Health
A. Swaminath, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Publication Date

2020

Journal Title

Antibodies

Abstract

The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) population, which may require treatment with immunosuppressive medications, may be uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. In fact, there is some evidence these medications may inhibit the cytokine storm that is theorized to cause a rapid decline seen in COVID-19. In addition, the digestive symptoms of COVID-19 can be difficult to distinguish from the activation of IBD. We present an interesting case of a Crohn's patient inadvertently administering anti-cytokine therapy during the pre-symptomatic period of COVID-19 infection. Immune suppression during early infection with SARS-COV2 risks a poor immune response to the virus and could theoretically result in a more severe course of infection.

Volume Number

9

Issue Number

3

Pages

42

Document Type

Article

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Gastroenterology

PMID

32824122

DOI

10.3390/antib9030042