Author/Authors :
Yousefifard, Mahmoud Physiology Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Zali, Alireza Functional Neurosurgery Research Center - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Mohamed Ali, Kosar University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani, Iraq , Madani Neishaboori, Arian Physiology Research Center - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Zarghi, Afshin Department of Medicinal Chemistry - School of Pharmacy - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Hosseini, Mostafa Pediatric Chronic Kidney Disease Research Center - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Safari, Saeed Proteomics Research Center - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: The purpose of the current systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy of antiviral therapies in
treatment of COVID-19. In addition, clinical trials on the efficacy of antiviral therapies in the management of
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-Cov) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus
(MERS-CoV) have also been reviewed, in order to identify potential treatment options for COVID-19. Method:
An extensive search was performed in Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and CENTRAL databases until the end of March 15, 2020. Two independent researchers performed the screening, and finally the related
studies were included. Results: Only one clinical trial on the efficacy of antiviral therapy in management of
COVID-19 was found. The results depicted that adding Lopinavir-Ritonavir to the standard treatment regimen
of patients with severe COVID-19 has no benefits. Moreover, 21 case-series and case-report studies reported the
prescription of antiviral agents in COVID-19, none of which can be used to determine the efficacy of antiviral
therapies in confronting COVID-19. In addition, no clinical trials were found to be performed on the efficacy
of antiviral agents in the management of SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Conclusion: The current evidence impede
researchers from proposing an appropriate antiviral therapy against COVID-19, making the current situation a
serious concern for international organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO). In the time of the
current pandemic and future epidemics, organizations such as WHO should pursue more proactive actions and
plan well-designed clinical trials so that their results can be used in managing future epidemics.
