RECOMBINANT HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES CASIRIVIMAB/IMDEVIMAB USE IN
INHIBITION OF THE SARS-CoV-2 VIRUS INFECTION
Abstract
Introduction: The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused severe
problems for healthcare facilities and infrastructure worldwide. The
development of rapid diagnostic tools, effective treatment protocols,
and vaccines against the pathogen has accelerated. This work aims to
elucidate the benefits of recombinant human monoclonal antibodies to
slow the progression of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617.2 infection (delta
variant). Material and methods: This is a retrospective analysis with a
6-month follow-up involving all patients who received recombinant human
monoclonal antibodies (MABs) casirivimab/ imdevimab at University
Hospital Martin in November and December of 2021. Results: A total of
180 patients were enrolled in the cohort with a mean time to
administration of symptoms were 6,01 +/-0,3 days in the group of
vaccinated patients and 5,52+/-0,28 days in the group of non-vaccinated
patients and a mean time to the resolution of symptoms were 4,37 +/-0,62
days in the group of vaccinated patients and 3,83 +/-0,3 days in the
group with non-vaccinated patients. Of these patients, 13 developed
bronchopneumonia (7,2%)—serious side effects after MAB administration
were observed in 1 patient. Conclusion: Using recombinant human
monoclonal antibodies casirivimab/ imdevimab to slow or to stop
SARS-CoV-2 variant infection B.1.617.2 significantly affected the course
of the disease. Quick diagnostics, identification of at-risk patients,
and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential in COVID-19
management.