Tetracyclines in COVID-19 patients quarantined at home: Literature evidence supporting real-world data from a multicenter observational study targeting inflammatory and infectious dermatoses

Dermatol Ther. 2021 Jan;34(1):e14694. doi: 10.1111/dth.14694. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Abstract

Tetracyclines (TetraC) are widely used in dermatology for both inflammatory and infectious dermatoses; recently both in vivo and in vitro studies started to suggest also a potential antiviral effect. During COVID-19 outbreak, several dermatological patients contracted SARS-CoV-2 experiencing only mild symptoms, but no protocol were approved. A multicenter prospective observational study that enrolled COVID-19 patients visited with teledermatology and undergoing TetraC was performed. About 38 adult outpatients (M/F: 20/18, age 42.6 years [21-67]) were enrolled. During the TetraC treatment, symptoms resolved in all patients within 10 days. Remarkably, ageusia and anosmia disappeared in the first week of TetraC treatment. TetraC seem a promising drug to treat COVID-19 outpatients with mild symptoms.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-Cov-2; doxycycline; drug re-proposal; inflammatory dermatoses; minocycline; tetracyclines.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Skin Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Tetracyclines / therapeutic use*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Tetracyclines