The efficacy of tocilizumab (TOC), monoclonal antibody against interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) receptor, in patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) patients has led to conflicting results. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to compare the efficacy of addition of TOC to standard of care (SOC) versus SOC in patients with COVID‐19. We performed a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, WHO COVID, LitCOVID, and Cochrane databases. Pooled outcomes (overall mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit admission, and secondary infections) were compared using DerSimonian‐Laird/Random‐effects approach. Risk difference (RD), confidence interval (CI), and p values were generated. A total of 23 studies with 6279 patients (1897 in TOC and 4382 in SOC group, respectively) were included. The overall mortality was lower in TOC group compared to SOC group (RD: −0.06; CI: −0.12 to −0.01; p = .03). Subgroup analysis including studies with only severe cases revealed lower mortality (RD: −0.12; CI: −0.18 to −0.06; p < .01) and need for mechanical ventilation (RD: −0.11; CI: −0.19 to −0.02; p = .01) in TOC group compared to SOC group. The addition of TOC to SOC has the potential to reduce mortality and need for mechanical ventilation in patients with severe COVID‐19. Randomized controlled trials are needed to validate this.

We describe a care delivery model in which one hospital in a larger health system was dedicated exclusively to treatment of COVID-19 patients. This allowed for rapid training, conservation of resources and promoted safety of healthcare workers, demonstrated by no healthcare worker exposures due to improper personal protective equipment use.

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Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has gained popularity as an effective therapeutic option for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Since its FDA recognition as a treatment modality for recurrent CDI in 2013, screening protocols for FMT donor stool have been in flux. However, extensive health questionnaires, in combination with serological and stool assays, have become mainstays in the donor screening process, although ethical implications are yet to be thoroughly considered. Herein, we present the case of a family member found to have a false-positive HIV test during the donor screening process and discuss potential ethical ramifications associated with FMT stool donation.

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