Frontiers in Pediatrics (Feb 2021)

Case Report: Use of Anakinra in Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome During COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Sara Della Paolera,
  • Erica Valencic,
  • Elisa Piscianz,
  • Valentina Moressa,
  • Alberto Tommasini,
  • Alberto Tommasini,
  • Raffaella Sagredini,
  • Valentina Kiren,
  • Manola Comar,
  • Manola Comar,
  • Andrea Taddio,
  • Andrea Taddio

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2020.624248
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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During COVID-19 outbreak, a large number of children with severe inflammatory disease has been reported. This condition, named Pediatric Multi-inflammatory Syndrome temporally associated with COVID-19 (PIMS-TS) or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (MIS-C), shares some clinical features with Kawasaki disease and is frequently complicated by myocarditis or shock. It has been suggested that MIS-C belongs to the group of cytokine storm syndromes triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection. So far, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and systemic glucocorticoids are the most common therapeutic approaches reported in this group of patients. However, the use of anakinra in patients with severe forms of COVID-19 is showing promising results. Here we reported two patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome complicated with shock. Both the patients presented a poor response to IVIG and systemic glucocorticoids and received anakinra. Treatment with IL-1 receptor antagonist showed a rapid improvement of clinical conditions and biochemical analysis in both patients and demonstrated a good safety profile. Thus, we look forward for future controlled clinical trials with the aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of anakinra in patients with MIS-C and established precise criteria for its use.

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