Molnupiravir versus favipiravir in at-risk outpatients with COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial in Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir and favipiravir in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 and at risk of severe COVID-19. METHODS: In an open-label, parallel-group, multicenter trial in Thailand, participants with moderate COVID-19 and at least one factor associated with severe COVID-19 were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive oral molnupiravir or oral favipiravir (standard of care). Phone calls for remote symptom assessment were made on Days 6, 15, and 29. Participants with worsening symptoms were instructed to return to the hospital. The primary endpoint was pulmonary involvement by Day 29, as evidenced by ≥2 of the following: dyspnea, oxygen saturation <92% or imaging. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventy-seven participants (487 molnupiravir, 490 favipiravir) were enrolled from 8 July 2022 to 19 January 2023. 98% had received ≥1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83% ≥3 doses. By Day 29, pulmonary involvement occurred in 0% (0/483) in molnupiravir arm versus 1% (5/482) in favipiravir arm (-1.0%; Newcombe 95.2% CI: -2.4% to -0.0%; P = 0.021); all-cause death in 0% (0/483) and <1% (1/482); COVID-19 related hospitalization in <1% (1/483) and 1% (3/482); treatment-related adverse event in 1% (5/483) and 1% (4/486); and serious adverse event in 1% (4/483) and 1% (4/486). CONCLUSIONS: Favipiravir and molnupiravir had a similar efficacy and safety profile. Whether either of the two reduced the risk of complications during the omicron era in this population with a low risk of pulmonary involvement and a high vaccine coverage remains unclear. There were no differences in any of the safety endpoints. THAI CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY ID: TCTR20230111009.

Effectiveness of Implementing a Locally Developed Antibiotic Use Guideline for Community-Acquired Cellulitis at a Large Tertiary Care University Hospital in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effectiveness of implementing a locally developed clinical practice guideline (CPG) for antibiotic treatment in adults with community-acquired cellulitis at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. METHODS: The CPG for antibiotic treatment of community-acquired cellulitis was developed based on local data during June to December 2016. The CPG was introduced by multifaceted interventions, including posters, brochures, circular letters, social media, conference, classroom training, and interactive education during January to September 2018. RESULTS: Among 360 patients with community-acquired cellulitis, 84.4% were ambulatory and 15.6% were hospitalized. The median age of patients was 62 years, and 59.4% were female. Antibiotic prescription according to CPG (CPG-compliant group) was observed in 251 patients (69.7%), and CPG noncompliance was found in 109 patients (30.3%) (CPG-noncompliant group). The demographics and characteristics of patients were comparable between groups. Patients in the CPG-compliant group had a significantly lower rate of intravenous antibiotics (18.7% vs 33.9%, P = .007), lower prescription rate of broad-spectrum antibiotics (14.7% vs 78.9%, P < .001) and antibiotic combination (6.4% vs 13.8%, P = .022), shorter median duration of antibiotic treatment (7 vs 10 days, P < .001), lower median cost of antibiotic treatment (US $3 vs $7, P < .001), and lower median hospitalization cost (US $601 vs $1587, P = .008) than those in the CPG-noncompliant group. Treatment outcomes were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to CPG seems to reduce inappropriate prescription of broad-spectrum antibiotic or antibiotic combination and treatment costs in adults with community-acquired cellulitis without differences in favorable outcomes or adverse events.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes for Patients Infected with Mycobacterium haemophilum.

Mycobacterium haemophilum is a nontuberculous mycobacterium that can infect immunocompromised patients. Because of special conditions required for its culture, this bacterium is rarely reported and there are scarce data for long-term outcomes. We conducted a retrospective study at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, during January 2012-September 2017. We studied 21 patients for which HIV infection was the most common concurrent condition. The most common organ involvement was skin and soft tissue (60%). Combination therapy with macrolides and fluoroquinolones resulted in a 60% cure rate for cutaneous infection; adding rifampin as a third drug for more severe cases resulted in modest (66%) cure rate. Efficacy of medical therapy in cutaneous, musculoskeletal, and ocular diseases was 80%, 50%, and 50%, respectively. All patients with central nervous system involvement showed treatment failures. Infections with M. haemophilum in HIV-infected patients were more likely to have central nervous system involvement and tended to have disseminated infections and less favorable outcomes.