Effect of Mycobacterium w on IL-6 and oxygen requirement in COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The efficacy and safety of heat-killed Mycobacterium w (Mw) in severe COVID-19 were evaluated. Twenty-five hospitalized patients (mean age, 52.9 +or- 13.1 years) with severe COVID-19 and having multiple comorbidities were intradermally injected with 0.3 mL of Mw daily for three consecutive days. Changes in leukocyte and platelet counts;C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum creatinine, and liver enzyme levels;and oxygen saturation were compared before and after treatment. An ordinal scale assessed the clinical response. There were significant improvements in the IL-6 level and oxygen saturation following treatment (p < 0.001). There were marked improvements in the platelet count, CRP level, serum aspartate transaminase level, and ordinal scale score. Eighty percent of patients who were on oxygen support were successfully shifted to room air within 5.6 days of treatment and discharged. No systemic adverse events were noted. Thus, Mw treatment could be a promising therapeutic modality in severe COVID-19.