Author/Authors :
Khodashahi, Rozita Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Naderi, Hamid Reza Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Sedaghat, Alireza Lung Disease Research Center - Faculty of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Allahyari, Abolghasem Department of Internal Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences , Sarjamee, Soroush Department of Emergency Medicine - Faculty of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: It seems that the risk of developing complications associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher
among individuals with weakened immune systems.
Objectives: Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for the treatment
of patients not entering the intubation phase compared to those entering the intubation phase.
Methods: This descriptive case-control study was performed on 26 patients with COVID-19 referring to Imam Reza hospital in Mashhad,
Iran, in March 2020. For subjects with COVID-19 not responding to the standard three-drug protocol (i.e., ribavirin, hydroxychloroquine,
and lopinavir/ritonavir), three doses of IVIG (0.4 g/kg/day) were added to the protocol. The patients were divided
into two groups of subjects not entering the intubation phase and those entering the intubation phase and compared in terms of
different variables.
Results: The comparison of laboratory findings showed a significant difference before and after receiving IVIG regarding oxygen
saturation (P < 0.005), white blood cell (P = 0.001), hemoglobin level (P = 0.0002), lymphocyte count (P = 0.03), and C-reactive protein
(P = 0.001). In general, 53.8% and 46.2% of the patients were discharged and expired, respectively. All the subjects not entering
the intubation phase were recovered; nevertheless, only one case entering the intubation phase was recovered, and 92.3% of the
patients expired. A significant difference was observed between the patients not entering the intubation phase and those entering
the intubation phase in terms of mortality (2 = 22.28; P < 0.005).
Conclusions: In summary, the obtained results of the current study confirmed the therapeutic effects of IVIG on patients with
COVID-19. Moreover, better treatment results, shorter hospital stay, and lower mortality rates were observed among COVID-19 patients
who did not enter the intubation phase in comparison with those entering the intubation phase.
Keywords :
COVID-19 , Intravenous Immunoglobulin , Intubation , Immune Systems
