Page 26 - COVID-19-Mortality-review-in-Malaysia-and-updates-on-clinical-management-of-COVID-19

D-DIMER, CRP, Ferritin and Lymphocyte

There are subsequent studies. The study was done in Italy where an IL-6 inhibitor
called Tocilizumab was given to patients with COVID-19 [2]. When Tocilizumab was

given, the D-dimer rates were down, the CRP levels came down, the ferritin levels
went down but a bit slower and absolute lymphocyte count went up. So, all these

warning signs which I have spoken to you about, all have sort of recovered. The PaO2
to FiO2 ratio improved; the oxygenation improved. This shows that there is an
inflammatory response especially the increased IL-6 and correcting it makes it better.

Diagram 10: Graphs showed laboratory parameters and respiratory parameters in a
pilot prospective open, single-arm multicentre study on off-label use of tocilizumab in

severe patients with COVID-19