A case of COVID-19 pneumonia successfully treated with favipiravir (Avigan) in which serum SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected by LAMP method was clinically useful

J Infect Chemother. 2021 Feb;27(2):379-383. doi: 10.1016/j.jiac.2020.10.011. Epub 2020 Oct 10.

Abstract

A 49-year-old Japanese male was managed by mechanical ventilation due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Favipiravir as an antiviral therapy, and anti-inflammatory treatment were administered. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in serum by the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method on Day 9; favipiravir treatment was continued. On Day 13, negative serum RNA was confirmed, followed by mechanical ventilation was removed. On Day 23, LAMP negative was confirmed in nasopharynx, after that the patient discharged on Day 27. We could treat successfully for severe COVID-19 pneumonia based on the LAMP method. We consider this method will be useful in COVID-19 treatment.

Keywords: COVID-19; Favipiravir; Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP); Viremia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amides / administration & dosage*
  • Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 / diagnosis
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods
  • Nasopharynx / virology
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / methods
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy
  • Pyrazines / administration & dosage*
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
  • Respiration, Artificial / methods
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viremia / diagnosis

Substances

  • Amides
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Pyrazines
  • RNA, Viral
  • favipiravir

Supplementary concepts

  • LAMP assay