Antimalarials and macrolides: a review of off-label pharmacotherapies during the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Abstract We critically analyzed clinical trials performed with chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with or without macrolides during the first wave of COVID-19 and discussed the design and limitations of peer-reviewed studies from January to July 2020. Seventeen studies were eligible for the discussion. CQ and HCQ did not demonstrate clinical advantages that justified their inclusion in therapeutic regimens of free prescription for treatment or prophylactic purposes, as suggested by health authorities, including in Brazil, during the first wave. Around August 2020, robust data had already indicated that pharmacological effects of CQ, HCQ and macrolides as anti-SARS-CoV-2 molecules were limited to in vitro conditions and largely based on retrospective trials with low quality and weak internal validity, which made evidence superficial for decision-making. Up to that point, most randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials did not reveal beneficial effects of CQ or HCQ with or without macrolides to reduce lethality, rate of intubation, days of hospitalization, respiratory support/mechanical ventilation requirements, duration, type and number of symptoms, and death and were unsuccessful in increasing virus elimination and/or days alive in hospitalized or ambulatory patients with COVID-19. In addition, many studies have demonstrated that side effects are more common in CQ-or HCQ-treated patients.

Tratamiento farmacológico de la infección COVID-19 en adultos. Actualización / Pharmacological interventions for adults with COVID-19 infection: Rapid synthesis (Up to date)

La enfermedad respiratoria aguda COVID-19 es la causante de la pandemia que actualmente amenaza la salud de los seres humanos. Al 5 de abril, se ha propagado la infección se ha propagado a 208 países, se han reportado 1'273.709 casos confirmados de la infección, 69.456 muertes y 262.486 pacientes recuperados. En Colombia, se reportan 1.485 casos confirmados, 35 muertes, 88 recuperados y 1.362 casos activos, de los cuales 50 se encuentran en condición crítica. Se incluyeron 19 nuevos estudios que cumplieron criterios de elegibilidad, cuatro revisiones sistemáticas, dos ensayos clínicos, y 13 estudios observacionales. En total, esta síntesis rápida incluye 36 estudios, dos guías de práctica clínica, seis revisiones sistemáticas, cinco ensayos clínicos, y 23 estudios observacionales. La evidencia disponible sobre tratamientos farmacológicos para el control de la infección COVID-19 es aún limitada y de baja calidad. Se identifican siete grupos de tratamientos usados en pacientes con infección COVID-19. Se detallan a continuación junto con la evidencia clínica disponible de su eficacia y seguridad: Antivirales, Interferón, Cloroquina e hidroxicloroquina, Corticosteroides, Oxigenoterapia, Reanimación con líquidos endovenosos y otros tratamientos.

Safety alert for hospital environments and health professional: chlorhexidine is ineffective for coronavirus

SUMMARY An alarming fact was revealed by recent publications concerning disinfectants: chlorhexidine digluconate is ineffective for disinfecting surfaces contaminated by the new coronavirus. This is a finding that requires immediate disclosure since this substance is widely used for the disinfection of hands and forearms of surgeons and auxiliaries and in the antisepsis of patients in minimally invasive procedures commonly performed in hospital environments. The objective of this study is to compare the different disinfectants used for disinfection on several surfaces, in a review of worldwide works. Scientific studies were researched in the BVS (Virtual Health Library), PubMed, Medline, and ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) databases. The following agents were studied: alcohol 62-71%, hydrogen peroxide 0.5%, sodium hypochlorite 0.1%, benzalkonium chloride 0.05-0.2%, povidone-iodine 10%, and chlorhexidine digluconate 0.02%, on metal, aluminum, wood, paper, glass, plastic, PVC, silicone, latex (gloves), disposable gowns, ceramic, and Teflon surfaces. Studies have shown that chlorhexidine digluconate is ineffective for inactivating some coronavirus subtypes, suggesting that it is also ineffective to the new coronavirus.

RESUMO Um dado alarmante revelado por publicações a respeito dos agentes desinfetantes: o digluconato de clorexidina é ineficaz para desinfecção de superfícies contaminadas por coronavírus. Trata-se de uma constatação que reclama imediata divulgação, uma vez que essa substância é amplamente usada para degermação de mãos e antebraços dos cirurgiões e auxiliares e na antissepsia dos pacientes, em procedimentos minimamente invasivos, comumente em ambientes hospitalares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os diferentes desinfetantes usados para desinfecção em diversas superfícies em revisão de trabalhos mundiais. Foram pesquisados trabalhos científicos na BVS (Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde), PubMed, Medline e Anvisa (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária). Foram estudados os seguintes agentes: álcool 62-71%, peróxido de hidrogênio 0,5%, hipoclorito de sódio 0,1%, cloreto de benzancônio 0,05-0,2%, iodo povidina 10% e digluconato de clorexidina 0,02%, em superfícies de metal, alumínio, madeira, papel, vidro, plástico, PVC, silicone, látex (luvas), avental descartável, cerâmica e teflon. Os estudos demonstraram que o digluconato de clorexidina é ineficaz para a inativação de alguns subtipos de coronavírus, sugerindo que também seja ineficaz contra o novo coronavírus.

Electrocardiograma en pacientes con SARS-CoV-2: guía rápida para interpretación / Electrocardiogram in patients with SARS-CoV-2: quick guide for interpretation

Conscientes de la emergencia sanitaria mundial desencadenada por el COVID-19 y la imperiosa necesidad de tomar decisiones tanto tempranas como efectivas, nuestro grupo desarrolló esta guía dirigida a la interpretación rápida y enfocada del electrocardiograma convencional de 12 derivaciones en pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2 en quienes se plantea inicio de tratamiento farmacológico. Dadas las alternativas terapéuticas que se están implementando de manera precoz para tener un impacto en la sobrevida de los pacientes, es imperioso limitar el número de efectos adversos que se pueden desencadenar en el desarrollo del tratamiento intrahospitalario como ambulatorio. Somos a su vez conscientes de que la coyuntura actual demanda toma de decisiones costo-efectivas y ágiles en el menor tiempo posible. Por lo anterior, gestamos esta guía rápida para facilitarle al personal médico involucrado en el manejo de estos pacientes (internistas, cardiólogos, intensivistas, infectologos, etc.) la interpretación y valoración de los tópicos más relevantes en electrocardiografía para limitar el número de posibles complicaciones en sus pacientes. El objetivo de dicha guía es acortar tiempos de atención, inicio temprano de terapia farmacológica basado en su juicio clínico y limitar al máximo posibles complicaciones y/o efectos adversos que retrasen el punto crítico terapéutico infeccioso. Esperamos facilitar a ustedes y su grupo de trabajo la toma de decisiones, basado en el uso costo-efectivo del electrocardiograma. No obstante, es importante recordar que toda decisión médica es un ejercicio riguroso, científico e integral basado en cada caso en particular. El electrocardiograma la ayudará a reforzar sus decisiones, así como a seguir a los pacientes que puedan presentar posibles complicaciones. Lo invitamos a que guarde esta guía rápida en sus dispositivos digitales y en cada momento que considere inicio de terapia farmacológica valore lo que en ella se indica.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome: a preliminary review.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new disease of unknown aetiology and probably a new strain of coronavirus is thought to be responsible for the disease. After originating from south-east China it has spread to several countries across the world. Patients of SARS suffer from fever with cough and dyspnoea. The virus spreads by droplet to nearby contacts and has high tendency to spread to the healthcare providers. Since the aetiology is not yet clear exact treatment is not yet defined and hence prevention is of utmost importance.