Abstract: G Model EIMC-2342; No. of Pages 7 ARTICLE IN PRESS Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin. 2020;xxx(xx):xxx–xxx www.elsevier.es/eimc Original Article Efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine in healthcare professionals with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection: Prospective, non-randomized trial Antonia Agusti a,b , Elena Guillen a,b , Alfonso Ayora c , Andres Anton d,e , Cristina Aguilera a,b , Xavier Vidal a,b , Cristina Andres d,e , Manuel Alonso c , Meritxell Espuga c , Juliana Esperalba d,e , Ma Queralt Gorgas b,f , Benito Almirante g,h , Esteban Ribera g,h,∗ a Clinical Pharmacology Service, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain Departament de Farmacologia, Terapèutica I Toxicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain c Occupational Health Service, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain d Respiratory Viruses Unit, Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain e Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain f Clinical Pharmacy Service, Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain g Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain h Departament de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain b a r t i c l e i n f o Article history: Received 1 September 2020 Accepted 29 October 2020 Available online xxx Keywords: SARS-CoV-2 infection COVID-19 Hydroxychloroquine Healthcare workers Outpatients a b s t r a c t Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) compared with no treatment in healthcare workers with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Prospective, non-randomized study. All health professionals with confirmed COVID-19 between April 7 and May 6, 2020, non-requiring initial hospitalization were asked to participate. Patients who accepted treatment were given HCQ for five days (loading dose of 400 mg q12 h the first day followed by200 mg q12 h). Control group included patients with contraindications for HCQ or who rejected treatment. Study outcomes were negative conversion and viral dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, symptoms duration and disease progression. Result: Overall, 142 patients were enrolled: 87 in treatment group and 55 in control group. The median age was 37 years and 75% were female, with few comorbidities. There were no significant differences in time to negative conversion of PCR between both groups. The only significant difference in the probability of negative conversion of PCR was observed at day 21 (18.7%, 95%CI 2.0–35.4). The decrease of SARS-CoV2 viral load during follow-up was similar in both groups. A non significant reduction in duration of some symptoms in HCQ group was observed. Two patients with HCQ and 4 without treatment developed pneumonia. No patients required admission to the Intensive Care Unit or died. About 50% of patients presented mild side effects of HCQ, mainly diarrhea. Conclusions: Our study failed to show a substantial benefit of HCQ in viral dynamics and in resolution of clinical symptoms in health care workers with mild COVID-19. © 2020 Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiologı́a Clı́nica. Eficacia y seguridad de hidroxicloroquina en profesionales sanitarios con infección leve por SARS-CoV-2: Estudio..