ABSTRACT
Objectives: Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic agent, also has anti-viral properties. Our aim was to assess whether ivermectin has anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Methods: The double-blinded trial compared patients receiving ivermectin for three days vs. placebo in non-hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients. RT-PCR from a nasopharyngeal-swab was obtained at recruitment and then every two days for at least 6 days. Primary endpoint was reduction of viral-load on the sixth-day as reflected by Ct level>30 (non-infectious level). The primary outcome was supported by determination of viral-culture viability. Results: Out of 867 patients screened, ultimately 89 were per-protocol evaluable (47 ivermectin and 42 placebo). On day 6, OR was 2.62 (95% CI: 1.09-6.31) in ivermectin arm reaching the endpoint. In a multivariable logistic regression model, the odds of a negative-test at day six was 2.28 time higher in the ivermectin group but reach significance only on day 8 (OR 3.70; 95% CI: 1.19-11.49, p=0.02). Culture-viability at days two to six were positive in 13.0% (3/23) of ivermectin samples vs. 48.2% (14/29) in the placebo group (p=0.008). Conclusions: There were lower viral-loads and less viable-cultures in the ivermectin group, which shows its anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. It could lead to reduce transmission in these patients and encourage further studies with this drug.
Fuente: International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Available online 8 July 2022
