Effectiveness of Anti-TB Medicines in Treating Patients Experiencing COVID-19 Symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19, the life-threatening disease caused by the pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 virus, has limited treatment or measures for curing the infected persons. However, many antibiotics have been tried with varied results. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of anti-tubercular medicines in treating patients who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.Methods: The present research work included nearly 2885 patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, who were categorised into two groups. The first group comprised nearly 1399 patients who were injected with 1 gm/day of streptomycin dose for a period of 10 days and 600 mg/day dosage of rifampicin was administered for a period of 10 days depending on the clinical symptoms. The second group (1486 patients) received 1 gm ceftriaxonein 100 ml saline solution for a continuous period of 12 hours continued for 10 days and 500 mg oral azithromycin continued for treatment for 5 days.Results: The use of ceftriaxone 1 gm twice daily for 10 days and azithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 5 days improved 1486 (51.51%) patients, and streptomycin 1 gm twice daily for 10 days made nearly 1399 (48.49%) patients respond well, considering the significant level for improving the total number of patients confirmed with COVID-19. Additionally, the researchers have proved that patients treated with both streptomycin and rifampicin had higher percentages of recovery from COVID-19 signs and symptoms, with 304 patients (21.72%) aged between 46 years and 55 years old and 305 patients (21.80%) aged between 56 years and 65 years. Individuals treated with both ceftriaxone and azithromycin showed good improvement [374 (25.16%) and 339 (22.81%) patients aged 36-55 years]. The present study also confirmed that the treatment using a combined form of rifampicin and streptomycin was more successful in 78% of males and 61% of females. Also, considering the treatment using both azithromycin and ceftriaxone, there was no change of improvement among the patients. Conclusions: The combined form of rifampicin and streptomycin is seen to have a significant effect with a good immune response for treating COVID-19 patients.