Early Hydroxychloroquine Administration for Rapid Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Eradication

Author: Kyung Soo HONG ¹ ; Jong Geol JANG ; Jian HUR ; Jong Ho LEE ; Hong Nam KIM ; Wonhwa LEE ; June Hong AHN
Author Information

1. Division of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University and Regional Center for Respiratory Diseases, Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea
Publication Type:Brief Communication
From:Infection and Chemotherapy 2020;52(3):396-402
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: There are no proven therapeutics for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia outbreak.We observed and analyzed the clinical efficacy of the most used hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for 30 days. In this study, administration of HCQ <5 days from diagnosis (odds ratio: 0.111, 95% confidence interval: 0.034 - 0.367, P = 0.001) was the only protective factor for prolonging of viral shedding in COVID-19 patients. Early administration of HCQ significantly ameliorates inflammatory cytokine secretion by eradicating COVID-19, at discharge. Our findings suggest that patients confirmed of COVID-19 infection should be administrated HCQ as soon as possible.