Citations 2
Post-vaccination COVID Toes (Chilblains) Exacerbated by Rituximab Infusion Suggests Interferon Activation as Mechanism
Qiao, Jana, Dan, Yongwook, Wolf, Michael E. , Zoccoli, Christina, Demetriou, Theodore J, Lennon, Robert P. , Wolf, Michael E
Military Medicine | September 27, 2021 | Volume: 187 | Issue: Special Issue_13 | Pages: e1563-e1565
ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease (COVID) toes are pernio-like skin lesions associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We observed pernio-like skin findings presenting after a Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, which significantly worsened after an infusion of rituximab. This suggests that the mechanism for COVID toes is interferon activation. Military providers may avoid unnecessary referrals for this self-limiting condition by anticipating this adverse effect.
Cell-based therapy to reduce mortality from COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis of human studies on acute respiratory distress syndrome
Qu, Wenchun , Hare, Joshua M. , Bu, Guojun , Pascual, Jorge M., Caplan, Arnold I. , Zubair, Abba C. , Kubrova, Eva , Engelberg-Cook, Erica , Nayfeh, Tarek , Shah, Vishal P. , Hill, James C. , Wolf, Michael E. , Murad, M. Hassan , Sanfilippo, Fred , Hare, Joshua M , Mallea, Jorge M. , Caplan, Arnold I , Zubair, Abba C , Wolf, Michael E , Murad, M Hassan , Bu, Guojun , Nayfeh, Tarek , Wang, Zhen , Kurtzberg, Joanne , Prokop, Larry J.
Stem Cells Translational Medicine | May 30, 2020 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 1007-1022
AbstractSevere cases of COVID-19 infection, often leading to death, have been associated with variants of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Cell therapy with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a potential treatment for COVID-19 ARDS based on preclinical and clinical studies supporting the concept that MSCs modulate the inflammatory and remodeling processes and restore alveolo-capillary barriers. The authors performed a systematic literature review and random-effects meta-analysis to determine the potential value of MSC therapy for treating COVID-19-infected patients with ARDS. Publications in all languages from 1990 to March 31, 2020 were reviewed, yielding 2691 studies, of which nine were included. MSCs were intravenously or intratracheally administered in 117 participants, who were followed for 14 days to 5 years. All MSCs were allogeneic from bone marrow, umbilical cord, menstrual blood, adipose tissue, or unreported sources. Combined mortality showed a favorable trend but did not reach statistical significance. No related serious adverse events were reported and mild adverse events resolved spontaneously. A trend was found of improved radiographic findings, pulmonary function (lung compliance, tidal volumes, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, alveolo-capillary injury), and inflammatory biomarker levels. No comparisons were made between MSCs of different sources.Significance statement The potential benefits of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome support the rapid commencement of clinical trials, as well as the compassionate use of MSCs that already have documented safety profiles from FDA-approved studies.