Background: The lack of effective medications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a trend of drug repurposing such as the case of azithromycin which shows immunomodulatory and anti-viral effect. Several clinical trials have shown conflicting results. It is currently unclear whether the available evidence is in favor or against the use of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Four independent reviewers selected relevant studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest published prior to March 2021. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020224967). Results: We included 17 studies and found that the mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–1.19), need of respiratory support (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98–1.73), hospitalization rate (standardized mean difference, 0.12; 95% CI, –0.02 to 0.27), and intensive care unit transfer (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.79–1.86) of azithromycin-treated group did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from those of the control group. Azithromycin treatment did not significantly increase the risk of getting secondary infection (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.83–1.82), hypoglycemia (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.38–1.40), gastrointestinal problems (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.73–1.45) or electrocardiogram abnormalities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94–1.42). The overall quality of evidence ranged from low to very low. Conclusion Azithromycin did not result in a superior clinical improvement in COVID-19 patients, although it was well-tolerated and safe to use.

Background: The lack of effective medications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a trend of drug repurposing such as the case of azithromycin which shows immunomodulatory and anti-viral effect. Several clinical trials have shown conflicting results. It is currently unclear whether the available evidence is in favor or against the use of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Four independent reviewers selected relevant studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest published prior to March 2021. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020224967). Results: We included 17 studies and found that the mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–1.19), need of respiratory support (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98–1.73), hospitalization rate (standardized mean difference, 0.12; 95% CI, –0.02 to 0.27), and intensive care unit transfer (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.79–1.86) of azithromycin-treated group did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from those of the control group. Azithromycin treatment did not significantly increase the risk of getting secondary infection (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.83–1.82), hypoglycemia (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.38–1.40), gastrointestinal problems (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.73–1.45) or electrocardiogram abnormalities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94–1.42). The overall quality of evidence ranged from low to very low. Conclusion Azithromycin did not result in a superior clinical improvement in COVID-19 patients, although it was well-tolerated and safe to use.

Patients with thyroid diseases need special attention during this COVID-19 pandemic. There is a paucity of publications that review the effect of coronavirus infection on thyroid disease patients, such as those with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules and cancer. This article aims to collect reviews and statements about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the management of thyroid disease patients.
COVID-19 ; Thyroid Diseases ; hypothyroidism ; Thyroid Neoplasms

One of the neglected complications of patients with HIV/AIDS is primary adrenal insufficiency also known as Addison’s disease. This condition can be caused by several mechanisms, such as tuberculosis, CMV, cryptococcal, or HIV-related adrenalitis, and also drugs commonly used for HIV/AIDS especially antifungal therapy. This is a case report of a man infected with HIV/AIDS and multiple opportunistic infections. He reported darkening of the skin and reduction of body hair 4 months after diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. From the clinical features and laboratory examinations, he was diagnosed as having primary adrenal insufficiency and was then treated with longterm corticosteroids.
Addison Disease ; Opportunistic Infections ; HIV ; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome