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IMPORTANCE: The emergency of COVID-19 requires the implementation of urgent strategies to prevent the spread of the disease, mainly in health personnel, who are the most exposed and has the highest risk of becoming infected with the SARS-COV-2. Drug repurposing is a pragmatic strategy, a faster and cheaper option, compared to the new drug development that has proven successful for many drugs and can be a key tool in emergency situations such as the current one that requires quick action. In addition, considering the limited access to vaccines for developing countries, preventive use of ivermectin can be a palliative that minimizes the risks of infection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of the combination Ivermectin / Iota- Carrageenan (IVER/IOTACRC), intensive treatment with repeated administration in oral- and nasal-spray, respectively, as a prophylaxis treatment prior to exposure to SARS-CoV-2, in health personnel at Public Healthcare Centers. PARTICIPANTS, DESIGN AND SETTING: Randomized controlled 1-1 clinical trial in Personal Health, n = 234. The subjects were divided into experimental (EG: n=117; 39.6 ± 9.4 years old, 65F) and control groups (CG: n=117; 38.4 ± 7.4 years old, 61F). The EG received Ivermectin orally 2 tablets of 6 mg = 12 mg every 7 days, and Iota-Carrageenan 6 sprays per day for 4 weeks. All participants were evaluated by physical examination COVID-19 diagnosed with negative RT-PCR at the beginning, final, and follow-up of the protocol. Differences between the variables were determined using the Chi-square test. The proportion test almost contagious subject and the contagion risk (Odds Ratio) were calculated using software STATA. The level of statistical significance was reached when p-Value < 0.05. RESULT: The number of subjects who were diagnosed with COVID-19 in EG was lower, only 4 of 117 (3.4%) than subjects in CG: 25 of 117 (21.4%) (P-Value = 1.10-5). Nineteen patients had mild symptoms, 4 were in EG whereas, 15 were in CG (p-Value = 0.001). Seven subjects were moderate, and 3 with severe diagnostics, all them in CG. The probability (Odds Ratio) of becoming ill with COVID-19 was significantly lower in EG with values of 0.13, 95% 0.03 to 0.40; p-Value = 1.10-4, this value (<1) indicates a protective effect of the IVER/IOTACRC in the EG. Logistic regression test demonstrated that treatment was effective to prevent COVID-19 (Odds Ratio 0.11, 95% 0.03 to 0.33; p-Value = 1.10-4). We also found that when increase the age, decrease contagious risk (Odds Ratio 0, 93, 95% 0.88 to 0.98, p-Value= 0, 02). On the other hand, the probability of contracting COVID-19 was dependent on the patient's preexisting comorbidity (Odds Ratio 5.58, 95% 2.20 to 14.16, p-Value = 1.10-5). The other variables sex and designation were independent. CONCLUSION: The intensive preventive treatment (short-term) with IVER/IOTACRC was able to reduce the number of health workers infected with COVID-19. This treatment had also effect in preventing the severity of the disease, since all patients treated were mild. We propose a new therapeutic alternative for prevention and short-term intervention scheme (intensive) that is of benefit of the health worker in this pandemic accelerated time. This intervention did not produce lack of adherence to treatment or adverse effects.

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We hypothesized that in individuals with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, the first vaccine dose would work as a booster, eliciting a faster and more intense immune response. We herein describe antibody responses to the first and second doses of Gam-COVID-Vac (SPUTNIK V) vaccine in health personnel of Tucuman, Argentina, with previous COVID-19 and compared it with uninfected personnel. Individuals with anti-SARS-CoV-2 titers at baseline showed significantly higher responses to the first dose than people with no prior history of disease (p <0.0001), with titers higher to those registered after the second dose in the control group, representing a clear secondary antibody response. This suggests that a single dose of SPUTNIK V for people with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection could contribute to a better use of available doses.

Low birthweight (LBW) increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Few studies have established its impact at early ages. Aims: To study endothelial function (EF) and arterial stiffness (AS) and their relationship to early markers of CVD risk in children with LBW. Methods: In children with LBW (4-6 years; n = 53), anthropometric, haemodynamic and laboratory parameters, including HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, adiponectin and leptin, were determined. EF and AS were evaluated by digital pulse plethysmography. Data were compared with a control group (n = 33). Results: In both groups, anthropometric parameters remained within normal limits. Insulin and HOMA-IR had normal values, but they were significantly augmented in LBW children. LBW children showed higher leptin and hs-CRP levels than the control group. The LBW group had decreased EF (37.5 ± 5.6%) compared with the control group (75.0 ± 11.9%; p < 0.01), however without differences in AS. In LBW children, EF was negatively correlated with waist circumference, leptin, hs-CRP and with a cumulative score of risk factors. Conclusions: LBW children display altered EF that is related to early changes in CVD risk factors. The differences found in the metabolic parameters might indicate a pro-inflammatory state. This hypothesis is also supported by the laboratory findings and the correlation between EF and the number of CVD risk factors, suggesting that very early lifestyle interventions may be needed.