Infection News

Adverse events were rare and mild in patients with rheumatic diseases who received a COVID-19 vaccine, according to data from the EULAR–COVID-19 Registry presented at the EULAR 2021 Congress.

A single dose of the granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor antibody mavrilimumab was linked to reduced mortality and mechanical ventilation in patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19, according to a speaker at the EULAR 2021 Congress.

Balancing broad public health initiatives with the necessity of respecting individual choices and patient needs was at the heart of the best and worst aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic response, according to speakers at the EULAR 2021 Congress debate.

Clinicians are encouraged to investigate and treat suspected macrophage activation syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in children with “urgency,” according to a speaker at the EULAR 2021 Congress.

Individuals with rheumatic, autoimmune or musculoskeletal diseases are not at increased risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2, according to one of the authors of the EULAR COVID-19 recommendations who addressed the EULAR 2021 Congress.

Baseline rituximab or JAK inhibitor use for rheumatoid arthritis was associated with worse COVID-19 severity, compared with TNF-inhibitor use, according to a speaker at the EULAR 2021 Congress.

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization for the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab to treat mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in patients at risk for progressing to severe disease, according to a press release.

The FDA is clear about the use of ivermectin, a drug used primarily to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, as a potential therapy for COVID-19: It is not approved.

While COVID-19 launched cytokine storm syndrome to the forefront of medical research, there is still much to be learned about these hyperactive immune events, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit.

While certain rheumatology drugs are associated with increased hospitalizations in COVID-19, individuals with rheumatologic diseases largely experience outcomes comparable to general population, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit.