Introduction: Inflammation plays a role in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathophysiology and anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce the disease severity. Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug with immunomodulatory and possible antiviral effects. This study aimed to evaluate the role of levamisole in the treatment of patients with COVID-19.
Methodology: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, hospitalized patients with confirmed severe COVID-19 (arterial oxygen saturation < 90%) were randomly assigned to either experimental (n = 41) or control (n = 45) groups. Levamisole 50 mg orally daily was prescribed for the first group until discharge or death, for a maximum of 7 days, along with other standard treatments. Only standard treatments were prescribed to the control group. Clinical response (either improvement or failure) at the end of the fifth and seventh days, changes in laboratory indices, length of hospitalization, and mortality rate during the study were evaluated and recorded.
Results: The rate of clinical improvement in the experimental group was significantly more than in the control group on the fifth (97.6% vs. 58.7%, p < 0.001) and seventh (95.8% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.007) days. Furthermore, the mean length of hospital stays in the experimental group (8.39 ± 3.54 days) was significantly shorter than in the control group (10.78 ± 5.40 days, p = 0.024). No patients died during the study.
Conclusions: Administering levamisole to hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 reduced hospitalization time and improved several clinical outcomes.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18659 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Elevated LIF and JAK-STAT activation drive severe COVID-19 in myeloma patients receiving the BCMA-CD3 bispecific antibody Elranatamab.
J Transl Med
January 2025
Department of Hematology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Beijing, 100730, China.
Background: Immunotherapy is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19 in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Understanding how immunotherapies lead to severe COVID-19 is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Methods: Human protein microarrays were used to examine the expression of 440 protein molecules in MM patients treated with bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTe) (n = 9), anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (n = 10), and proteasome inhibitor (PI)-based regimens (n = 10).
Risk factors for disease progression and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based cohort study.
BMC Pulm Med
January 2025
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Background: Since 2021, COVID-19 has had a substantial impact on global health and continues to contribute to serious health outcomes. In Taiwan, most research has focused on hospitalized patients or mortality cases, leaving important gaps in understanding the broader effects of the disease and identifying individuals at high risk. This study aims to investigate the risk factors for disease progression through a nationwide population-based cohort study on COVID-19 in Taiwan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCritical Management of Haemodynamically Unstable Acute Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19.
Acta Med Indones
October 2024
Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia - Harapan Kita National Cardiovascular Center, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Increased thrombotic events that occur in up to one-third of patients with COVID-19 are predominantly pulmonary emboli (PE), which are associated with higher severity and increased mortality. Acute PE should therefore be one of the main differential diagnoses among patients with hemodynamic instability. Early treatment of such a condition with systemic thrombolysis remains the first line of treatment especially in patients with COVID-19, which hinders further invasive intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Role of Inflammatory Parameters and Antibody Seroconversion on COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients with Central Obesity.
Acta Med Indones
October 2024
1. Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia-Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National General Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. 2. Metabolic Disorder, Cardiovascular and Aging Research Center, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia..
Background: Central obesity increases the risk of developing poor outcomes of COVID-19. The pro-inflammatory state and antibody dysfunction are thought to contribute to poor outcomes; however, the evidence is unclear.
Methods: This is a cohort study among COVID-19 patients with central obesity in Dr.
Longitudinal Assessment of Pulmonary Involvement and Prognosis in Different Subtypes of COVID-19 Patients After One Year Using Low-Dose CT: A Prospective Observational Study.
Acad Radiol
January 2025
Radiology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China (J.Z., F.X., Q.S., J.T., S.W., X.L.). Electronic address:
Rationale And Objectives: Severe COVID-19 typically results in pulmonary sequelae. However, current research lacks clarity on the differences in these sequelae among various clinical subtypes. This study aimed to evaluate the changing lung imaging features and predictive factors in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in northern China over a 12-month follow-up period after the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!