CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth offers antibody treatment for COVID-19 patients

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth patients now have access to a monoclonal antibody therapy for treatment of mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the hospital system reports. The therapies, known clinically as Bamlanivimab or Regeneron, are administered through infusion in COVID-19-positive patients who are at greater risk for hospitalization.

“This treatment can be life-saving to those who are most vulnerable to severe illness. It is important for patients to know how valuable this treatment is in fighting off the virus,” said Waqar Ahmad, M.D., Vice President of Medical Affairs, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System.

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins created in a lab that mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off the virus. The therapy received emergency use authorization from the FDA for treatment of mild-to-moderate cases of COVID-19 infection. Results in clinical trials indicate the therapy is beneficial when given early, before a patient’s immune system has mounted an antibody response.

“This means it is important for people to be evaluated by their physician or at an Urgent Care clinic at the first sign of symptoms,” said Dr. Ahmad.

This treatment requires a physician referral and is reserved for patients who are at increased risk for severe illness and have underlying medical conditions including BMI greater than 35, chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppressive disease, those receiving immunosuppressive treatment/therapy, age over 65, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and chronic lung/respiratory disease.

The therapy requires an intravenous infusion and monitoring after the procedure. The process takes a few hours and is offered for scheduling on Monday through Friday. Patients are encouraged to speak with their primary care physicians to see if they are a candidate for this new treatment.

About CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System is a Catholic, not-for-profit health care system and has been serving its communities for more than 117 years. The fully integrated health care delivery system including two inpatient hospitals, a short-stay surgical hospital and 27 additional points of access ranging from outpatient care to long-term facilities, is recognized as a regional leader in outpatient services, cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, birthing, neonatal care, cardiac rehabilitation, imaging and emergency services, while CHRISTUS Southeast Texas-St. Elizabeth is designated as the area’s only Level III Trauma Center. According to CHRSITUS, “The system continues to adapt and change to meet the needs of the community, following the values and mission of the founding Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston and San Antonio – to extend the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.” For more information, visit the website www.christussetx.org.