The effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine on the control of symptoms, duration, and disease progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a newly emerging human disease caused by a novel coronavirus, causing a global pandemic crisis. Probiotics and/or colchicine may be considered as options for treatment since they have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Objective To assess the effectiveness of probiotic supplements (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and colchicine on symptoms, duration, and progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19 infection. Methods A three-arm randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in the triage clinic of the family medicine department at Ain Shams University Hospitals on 150 participants who had been diagnosed as COVID-19 patients with mild and moderate severity. Patients aged below 18 years or above 65 years with any co-morbidities, pregnant or lactating females, and severe COVID-19 confirmed cases were excluded. Randomization was done by using sealed envelopes containing codes for intervention or control. Patients are followed up for improvement of their symptoms with no development of new symptoms over the course of two weeks. Results A total of 150 patients with mild and moderate severity of COVID-19 were enrolled in the study, 50 patients in each arm; around one third (34.7%) of the participants were aged between 29 and 39 years; one-quarter (24.7%) were aged between 18 and 28 years and 40.6% were aged 40 years and above. The mean duration of symptoms improvement was 12, 11 and 12 in the colchicine, probiotic, and control groups, respectively. Improvement of inflammatory markers over time occurred in each of the three groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. Conclusion Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and colchicine shows no significant effect on the symptoms, duration, and progression of mild and moderate cases of COVID-19.