Methods: Single-center pilot study included PCR+ SARS-CoV2-patients, hospitalized from April to May 2020 in Puebla, Mexico. Comparative treatment with steroids plus CsA or steroids. Mild, moderate or severe pneumonia was measured by clinical, laboratory tests, lung damage score by computed tomography, and score for clinical improvement. Death rate was evaluated at 28 days.
This is a pilot study done in a single center (ISSSTE Regional Hospital, Puebla, Mexico).
Consecutive patients with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were assigned, in an
unblinded and non-randomized fashion, to receive either steroids plus CsA (intervention
group) or steroids only (standard of treatment in this hospital, control group), as per
individual clinical judgment. The primary outcome was the number of days to clinical
improvement until hospital discharge or death. The secondary outcome was the improvement of
patients, defined by the following parameters: lower oxygen requirements (2 liters per
minute, or less), absence of fever by three consecutive days, respiratory rate <22, a
decrease of 50% or more in the C reactive protein on admission, and length of hospital stay.
Adult patients attending to the hospital between April 15, to May 31, 2020, fulfilling
symptoms compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia, according to the WHO guidance, were invited to
participate and all the patients gave their written informed consent.
Drug: Cyclosporin A
COVID-19 pneumonia patients treated with oral CsA at a dose of 1-2 mg /kg / day divided into two doses, for 7 days, since entering to hospitalization.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Confirmed COVID 19 pneumonia by clinical, lung computed Tomography and RT-PCR
nasopharyngeal swabs.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Influenza infection.
Jose Luis Jl Galvez-Romero
Puebla, Mexico
Investigator: JOSE LUIS J GALVEZ-ROMERO
Contact: +522222453511
jose.galvez@issste.gob.mx
JOSE LUIS J GALVEZ-ROMERO, MD
+522222453511 - 1100
jose.galvez@issste.gob.mx
JOSE LUIS J GALVEZ-ROMERO, MD, Principal Investigator
Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado