The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of chloroquine prophylaxis on the incidence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in healthcare workers exposed to patients with confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Single arm study in which healthcare workers were actively invited to participate. Possible
participants were asked to complete a questionnaire to determine eligibility for study entry
and to identify risk factors for infection, severe infection, or adverse events associated
with chloroquine use.
Volunteers who meet the eligibility requirements received chloroquine 150mg base at days 0,
15, 30, 45, 60, 75. Cumulative incidence and incidence rate of COVID-19 at days 30,60 and 90
were calculated. Presence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against SARS-Cov-2 was
evaluated at the beginning, at the end and at any moment if they become infected with this
virus.
In addition, patients were asked to complete a survey evaluating adverse effects and COVID-19
symptoms at day 0 and weeks 2,4,6,8,10, and 12.
Drug: Chloroquine
250mg tablet (150mg base chloroquine)
Inclusion Criteria:
- Asymptomatic healthcare workers and contractors who work in Fundacion Valle del Lili
Exclusion Criteria:
- To have two or more of the following symptoms 14 days previous to the initial
assessment: cough, dyspnea, odynophagia, fatigue, weakness, fever >38 degrees °C
- History of close contact (less than two meters) with a person with probable or
confirmed COVID-19 without adequate protection during the last 14 days
- History of one the following diseases in treatment at inclusion in the study: cardiac
arrhythmias, epilepsy, kidney disease, seizures
- Treatment with concomitant medications: tamoxifen, quinine, cyclosporine, amiodarone,
digoxine, anticonvulsivants
- Having recently taken chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine in the last two weeks
- Known hypersensitivity to chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine
Fundacion Valle del Lili
Cali, Valle Del Cauca, Colombia
Juan D Velez, MD, Principal Investigator
Fundacion Clinica Valle del Lili