Effect of Bacillus licheniformis Capsule on the cytokines level and clinical prognosis of COVID-19 patients
YIN Jiang-tao1, TANG Yang2, MEI Qiong1, SUN Zhi-wei1, ZHANG Jin-hui1, LIU Da-dong1,DAI Xiao-yue3, XIA Wen3, DING Long-kun3, XI Yue3, ZHANG Ying3, WU Liang3
(1. Department of ICU, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212001; 2. Department of Oncology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan Hubei 430030; 3. School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang Jiangsu 212013, China )
Abstract：Objective: To investigate the drug of Bacillus licheniformis Capsule (BLC) to improve the high levels of cytokines and clinical prognosis in COVID-19 patients, and to provide the clinical evidence for gut microflora therapy in COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 38 cases of adult severe COVID-19 patients admitted from February to March 2020，among whom 18 patients received BLC treatment and 20 did not. All patients received regular treatment, the treatment group taking additional BLC treatment every day to improve gut microflora. The basic clinical characteristics and prognosis were recorded in this experiment, as well as counts of white blood cells, lymphocytes, platelets and level of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, PCT, CRP, ALT, albumin and creatinine before and after treatment. Results: After two weeks of treatment, the BLC treatment group and the control group in peripheral blood lymphocyte count was significantly higher than before treatment (P<0.01), serum-CRP levels were significantly lower than before treatment (P<0.01). There was no significant differences in peripheral blood lymphocyte count and serum-CRP levels between the two groups (P>0.05). After BLC treatment for two weeks, TNF-α and IL-1β levels of serum in the BLC treatment group were significantly lower than before treatment, and lower than the control group (P<0.05). But, there were no significant differences in clinical prognosis in two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: BLC could reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum of COVID-19 patients, but we do not observe a significantly improve of clinical prognosis in patients.
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