Evaluation of the Prophylactic Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on People in Close-Contact with Patients with Covid-19

Shabani, Minoosh; Totonchi, Mehdi; Rezaeimirghaed, Omidvar; Gachkar, Latif; Hajiesmaeili, Mohammadreza; Khoshkar, Ali; Amirdosara, Mahdi; Saffaei, Ali; Shokouhi, Shervin; Mardani, Masoud; Darazam, Ilad Alavi; Karami, Alireza; Sharifi, Milad; Zaman, Mana; Abedheydari, Elham; Sahraei, Zahra

INTRODUCTION: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant mortality worldwide. The disease attacks the lung tissue and may lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome. An in vitro study showed that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a prophylactic effect against COVID-19 due to its anti-inflammatory effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of HCQ on individuals in close contact with patients with COVID-19. METHOD: In this quasi-trial study, we prescribed HCQ for 7 days to all people who had close contact with a patient with COVID-19. All contacts underwent a nasal swab in two steps, and those positive for COVID-19 were excluded from the study. After 14 days of follow-up, the clinical and laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 113 participants completed the study. The HCQ group comprised 51 (45.13 %) contacts, and 62 (54.86 %) contacts were allocated to the control group. According to the results of clinical examination and real-time polymerase chain reaction test, 8 (12.90%) contacts in the control group were reported to have contracted COVID-19. In the HCQ group, 7 (13.72%) contacts were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19. There was no relationship between HCQ use and age, sex, underlying disorders, and laboratory data (all p >0.05). In terms of HCQ side effects, five participants experienced gastrointestinal and cutaneous side effects that subsided on discontinuation of HCQ. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that HCQ had no prophylactic effect with regard to COVID-19 prevention.