Title of article :
The Efficacy of Ivermectin and Metronidazole vs. Standard Treatment Protocols on Outcomes of COVID-19 in Hospitalized Patients: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial
Author/Authors :
Heydari ، Mohammad Reza HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Rahimi ، Yekta Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , Foroozanfar ، Zohre HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Mirahmadizadeh ، Alireza Non-communicable Diseases Research Center - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Sanaei Dashti ، Anahita HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Afrashteh ، Sima Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Aminnia ، Shiva Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Dehdari Ebrahimi ، Nilofar Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Sadeghi ، Alireza Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Motamedi ، Amirsalar Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Yazdanpanah ، Mohammad Hosein Clinical Research Development Center, Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital - Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Davarpanah ، Mohammad Ali HIV/AIDS Research Center, Institute of Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Faramarzi ، Hossein Department of Community Medicine - Health Behavior Sciences Research Center, School of Medicine - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Nejatollahi ، Foroogh Department of Immunology - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences , Joulaei ، Hassan Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health - Shiraz University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has turned into a global public health crisis since the end of 2019. It may thus take years to develop new drugs, so evaluating the existing ones can play a key role in suppressing or even mitigating the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Objectives: This study reflected on the effects of ivermectin (IVM) and metronidazole (MTR) vs. standard treatment protocols on symptoms, humoral immune responses, and outcomes of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. Methods: This triple-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) of IVM and MTR vs. standard treatment protocols was conducted from February 2021 to May 2021. A total number of 107 participants were accordingly selected from all patients infected with SARSCoV- 2andpositive results for SARS-CoV-2 basedonthe reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or the computerized tomography (CT) scan results at 3 teaching hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. In this RCT, several indicators, including some vital signs, biomedical parameter, length of hospital stay (LOS), and death, were considered the outcomes. Results: A total number of 107 patients were recruited in this study. The results revealed that 10 patients (10.4%) expired during hospitalization. The mortality rate in IVM group (4.5%) was lower compared with MTZ (15.8%) and standard treatment (11.8%) (P = 169). After 5 days, the mean differences of lymphocyte and neutrophil counts differed significantly between groups (P = 0.020 and P = 0.029, respectively). But, other outcomes did not differ (P 0.05). Conclusions: Based on this RCT, neither IVM nor MTZ could significantly affect COVID-19 patients’ recovery patterns compared with the standard treatment protocols. Hence, more studies are needed to test diverse combinations of immunological response triggering and anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, including and relying on IVM in clinical guidelines for COVID-19 should be cautioned and based on more evidence.
Keywords :
COVID , 19 , Ivermectin , Metronidazole , Randomized Controlled Trial , Clinical Protocols
Journal title :
Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases
Journal title :
Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases
