[Interferon gamma in the treatment of patients with moderate COVID-19].

INTRODUCTION: Interferons are produced in response to the presence of pathogens in cells and are responsible for the proper formation of immune reaction. Preliminary data obtained in studies of properties of recombinant interferon gamma (IFN-γ) that involved patients with community-acquired pneumonia (including bacterial), acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI), influenza and new coronavirus infection have shown promising results.The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of subcutaneous administration of IFN-γ in patients with viral pneumonia on the changes of vital signs and the duration of hospital stay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An open-label, randomized, low-interventional study included patients with moderate new coronavirus infection COVID-19 over 18 years of age of both sexes. IFN-γ 500,000 IU was administered s/c, daily, once a day, during 5 days. RESULTS: IFN-y in addition to complex therapy of the disease resulted in more favorable changes in the stabilization of vital signs, as well as in reduced length of fever and hospital stay by 2 days what allows suggesting a positive effect of this substance on the recovery processes in patients with moderate COVID-19. Special emphasis should be made to the fact that patients who received recombinant IFN- γ experienced no progression of respiratory failure and required no transfer to intensive care unit. DISCUSSION: This study confirms earlier obtained data on the positive effect of IFN-y on the rate of clinical stabilization and recovery of patients with community-acquired pneumonia and viral infections. Presented results are limited to a small number of patients; further study of drug properties in post-marketing studies is required. CONCLUSION: Progress in the treatment of patients with moderate COVID-19 by adding recombinant IFN-γ to the complex therapy may reasonably expand the range of existing treatment options for this infection.

Changes in total and local contractility of the left ventricle, imaged by radionuclide ventriculography, in patients with ischaemic heart disease during submaximal exercise.

In 40 patients with chronic ischaemic heart disease [IHD) and 10 healthy subjects the total and local myocardial contractility was assessed during threshold-level exercise. The patients were subjected to radionuclide ventriculography in a modification recording the first passage of the radioindicator through the heart cavities. In the control subjects the exercise induced a 27% increase in the total ejection fraction, with increased contractility of all left ventricular segments. In the patients with IHD the reactions to exercise varied. In 40% of the patients the total ejection fraction increased adequately, in 17.5% the increase was nonadequate, in 20% no increase was observed, and in 22.5% the ejection fraction decreased. The most marked reduction in myocardial contractility was found in patients who had sustained myocardial infarction and reacted positively to the exercise test. In 34 patients there were observed left ventricular segments showing a paradoxical response of contractility to exercise--a decrease in the local ejection fraction. This pathological local reaction occurred rather in a normal function at rest than in a myocardium with hypokinetic segments at rest.