Efficacy of interferon alpha for the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis

Genetic Predictors of Paxlovid Treatment Response: The Role of IFNAR2, OAS1, OAS3, and ACE2 in COVID-19 Clinical Course

Background: This study investigated the role of genetic polymorphisms in IFNAR2, OAS1, OAS3, and ACE2 as predictors of Paxlovid treatment response, specifically examining their influence on the clinical course and laboratory parameters of COVID-19 patients. Methods: We analyzed the impact of polymorphisms in genes associated with the interferon pathway (IFNAR2 rs2236757), antiviral response (OAS1 rs10774671, OAS3 rs10735079), and viral entry (ACE2 rs2074192) in individuals treated with Paxlovid. Results: Our findings suggest that genetic variations in these genes may modulate the immune response and coagulation pathways in the context of Paxlovid treatment during COVID-19 infection. Specifically, the IFNAR2 rs2236757 G allele was associated with alterations in inflammatory and coagulation markers, while polymorphisms in OAS1 and OAS3 influenced coagulation parameters. Furthermore, specific genotypes were linked to changes in clinical parameters such as oxygen saturation, leukocyte count, and liver function markers in Paxlovid-treated patients. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of considering genetic factors in understanding individual responses to COVID-19 treatment with Paxlovid and informing future personalized approaches.

Metformin as a disease-modifying therapy in osteoarthritis: bridging metabolism and joint health

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) frequently coexist, leading to compounded clinical and metabolic challenges. This study investigates the effects of metformin in improving both clinical outcomes (pain, stiffness, physical function) and metabolic parameters (inflammatory markers, lipid profile, BMI) in patients with knee OA and IGT.

Methods

The study included 60 patients diagnosed with knee OA and IGT. Participants were divided into two groups: 26 patients received standard OA treatment without metformin (Without Metf), while 34 received metformin (500 mg twice daily) for 3 months, in addition to standard treatment (With Metf). Clinical assessments (WOMAC, Lequesne Algofunctional Index, KOOS, VAS) and metabolic markers (CRP, NLR, SOD, lipid profile, BMI) were measured before treatment, after 1 month, and after 3 months.

Results

The With Metf group showed significantly greater improvements in pain, stiffness, physical function, and quality of life compared to the Without Metf group. Metformin also led to significant reductions in inflammatory markers and improvements in lipid profiles and metabolic health indicators. The With Metf group demonstrated enhanced BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio. Furthermore, the need for increased NSAID doses was predicted by factors such as pain severity and inflammatory markers.

Conclusion

Metformin effectively alleviates osteoarthritis symptoms and improves metabolic health in patients with both OA and IGT. Further research is needed to explore its long-term effects on joint health, inflammatory markers, and its potential role in OA management in patients without IGT.

mRNA vaccine platforms: linking infectious disease prevention and cancer immunotherapy

The advent of mRNA vaccines, accelerated by the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, marks a transformative shift in vaccine technology. In this article, we discuss the development, current applications, and prospects of mRNA vaccines for both the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and oncology. By leveraging the capacity to encode antigens within host cells directly, mRNA vaccines provide a versatile and scalable platform suitable for addressing a broad spectrum of pathogens and tumor-specific antigens. We highlight recent advancements in mRNA vaccine design, innovative delivery mechanisms, and ongoing clinical trials, with particular emphasis on their efficacy in combating infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, Zika, and influenza, as well as their emerging potential in cancer immunotherapy. We also address critical challenges, including vaccine stability, optimization of immune responses, and the broader issue of global accessibility. Finally, we review potential strategies for advancing next-generation mRNA vaccines, with the aim of overcoming current limitations in vaccine technology and enhancing both preventive and therapeutic approaches for infectious and oncological diseases.

Host-Directed Adjunctive Therapies in Immunocompromised Patients with Pneumonia

Immunocompromised (IC) hosts represent a unique patient population at risk for not only typical pathogens, but also opportunistic microorganisms. While antimicrobials remain the main treatment, new investigations have demonstrated the importance of host-response to pathogens. In this article, we highlight previously discovered and new areas of investigation for adjunctive host-response treatments for IC host pneumonia.

Recent advances in the management of knee osteoarthritis: a narrative review

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition that causes pain and reduces the quality of life for many people. It also leads to high health and financial costs. Managing knee OA pain requires using different methods together for the best results. This review overviews current therapeutic options for knee OA pain, focusing on their efficacy, safety, and potential roles in clinical practice. Topical treatments, such as NSAIDs and capsaicin, offer significant pain relief with minimal systemic side effects and are suitable for initial therapy, together with nonpharmacologic interventions like exercise and, when relevant, weight loss. Oral analgesics, including acetaminophen and opioids, have limited efficacy and serious side effects, making them appropriate only for short-term or rescue therapy. Intra-articular injections, such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and platelet rich plasma, demonstrate varying levels of efficacy and safety. Nutritional supplements, including curcumin, Boswellia serrata, and glucosaminechondroitin combinations, offer modest benefits and are best used as adjuncts to standart treatment. Nonpharmacological treatments, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), acupuncture, and local heat therapy, provide variable pain relief and should be customized based on individual patient responses. Targeted biologic agents, such as antibodies to TNF-α, IL-1, and NGF, hold promise for more precise pain relief; however, further research is required to establish their routine use. Treating knee OA pain should be personalized, combining several methods. Research must continue to improve treatments and make them safer.

Metformin in Antiviral Therapy: Evidence and Perspectives

Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic medication, has emerged as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral agent due to its ability to modulate cellular pathways essential for viral replication. By activating AMPK, metformin depletes cellular energy reserves that viruses rely on, effectively limiting the replication of pathogens such as influenza, HIV, SARS-CoV-2, HBV, and HCV. Its role in inhibiting the mTOR pathway, crucial for viral protein synthesis and reactivation, is particularly significant in managing infections caused by HIV, CMV, and EBV. Furthermore, metformin reduces oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are critical for replicating arboviruses such as Zika and dengue. The drug also regulates immune responses, cellular differentiation, and inflammation, disrupting the life cycle of HPV and potentially other viruses. These diverse mechanisms suppress viral replication, enhance immune system functionality, and contribute to better clinical outcomes. This multifaceted approach highlights metformin's potential as an adjunctive therapy in treating a wide range of viral infections.

Unveiling risk factors for post-COVID-19 syndrome development in people with type 2 diabetes

Introduction

Post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) is a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-associated chronic condition characterized by long-term violations of physical and mental health. People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and PCS.

Aim

The current study aimed to define the predictors of PCS development in people with T2D for further planning of preventive measures and improving patient outcomes.

Materials and methods

The data were collected through the national survey targeting persons with T2D concerning the history of COVID-19 course and signs and symptoms that developed during or after COVID-19 and continued for more than 12 weeks and were not explained by an alternative diagnosis. In total, 469 patients from different regions of Ukraine were enrolled in the study. Among them, 227 patients reported PCS development (main group), while 242 patients did not claim PCS symptoms (comparison group). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression and probabilistic neural network (PNN) models were used to select independent risk factors.

Results

Based on the survey data, 8 independent factors associated with the risk of PCS development in T2D patients were selected: newly diagnosed T2D (OR 4.86; 95% CI 2.55-9.28; p<0.001), female sex (OR 1.29; 95% CI 0.86-1.94; p=0.220), COVID-19 severity (OR 1.35 95% CI 1.05-1.70; p=0.018), myocardial infarction (OR 2.42 95% CI 1.26-4.64; p=0.002) and stroke (OR 3.68 95% CI 1.70-7.96; p=0.001) in anamnesis, HbA1c above 9.2% (OR 2.17 95% CI 1.37-3.43; p=0.001), and the use of insulin analogs (OR 2.28 95% CI 1.31-3.94; p=0.003) vs human insulin (OR 0.67 95% CI 0.39-1.15; p=0.146). Although obesity aggravated COVID-19 severity, it did not impact PCS development. In ROC analysis, the 8-factor multilayer perceptron (MLP) model exhibited better performance (AUC 0.808; 95% CІ 0.770-0.843), allowing the prediction of the risk of PCS development with a sensitivity of 71.4%, specificity of 76%, PPV of 73.6% and NPV of 73.9%.

Conclusions

Patients who were newly diagnosed with T2D, had HbA1c above 9.2%, had previous cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, and had severe COVID-19 associated with mechanical lung ventilation were at high risk for PCS.

Genomic insight into COVID-19 severity in MAFLD patients: a single-center prospective cohort study

This study investigated the influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes associated with the interferon pathway (IFNAR2 rs2236757), antiviral response (OAS1 rs10774671, OAS3 rs10735079), and viral entry (ACE2 rs2074192) on COVID-19 severity and their association with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (MAFLD). We did not observe a significant association between the investigated SNPs and COVID-19 severity. While the IFNAR2 rs2236757 A allele was correlated with higher creatinine levels upon admission and the G allele was correlated with lower band neutrophils upon discharge, these findings require further investigation. The distribution of OAS gene polymorphisms (rs10774671 and rs10735079) did not differ between MAFLD patients and non-MAFLD patients. Our study population's distribution of ACE2 rs2074192 genotypes and alleles differed from that of the European reference population. Overall, our findings suggest that these specific SNPs may not be major contributors to COVID-19 severity in our patient population, highlighting the potential role of other genetic factors and environmental influences.

Modulatory Roles of AHR, FFAR2, FXR, and TGR5 Gene Expression in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease and COVID-19 Outcomes

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. This study explores the potential influence of gut hormone receptor and immune response gene expression on COVID-19 outcomes in MAFLD patients.

METHODS

We investigated gene expression levels of AHR, FFAR2, FXR, and TGR5 in patients with MAFLD and COVID-19 compared to controls. We examined associations between gene expression and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

COVID-19 patients displayed altered AHR expression, potentially impacting immune response and recovery. Downregulated AHR in patients with MAFLD correlated with increased coagulation parameters. Elevated FFAR2 expression in patients with MAFLD was linked to specific immune cell populations and hospital stay duration. A significantly lower FXR expression was observed in both MAFLD and severe COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest potential modulatory roles for AHR, FFAR2, and FXR in COVID-19 and MAFLD.

Pharmacodynamic of Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha-2b Nasal Drops and Effective Prophylaxis Against SARS-COV-2 Infection

The recombinant human interferon alpha-2b (IFN-α2b) nasal drop formulation (Nasalferon) was studied as prophylaxis for SARS-CoV-2. Healthy volunteers between 19 and 80 years of age received 0.5 million international units of IFN in one drop (0.05 mL ) in each nostril, twice a day, for 10 consecutive days. The nondetection of SARS-CoV-2 by real-time polymerase chain reaction was the primary outcome variable. Several IFN-α biomarkers, including intranasal gene expression and innate immune effector activity, were increased in participants who received intranasal IFN-α2b. The study included 2,930 international travelers and 5,728 persons who were their close contacts. The subjects were treated with Nasalferon in January 2021, and 9,162 untreated travelers were included as controls. COVID-19 rate in treated subjects was significantly lower than in untreated subjects (0.05% vs. 4.84%). The proportion of travelers with COVID-19 decreased from 60.9% to 2.2% between December 2020 and February 2021. Furthermore, 1,719 tourism workers also received Nasalferon, and no cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection were detected, whereas 39 COVID-19 cases (10.6%) were reported in 367 untreated subjects. The main adverse events associated with the use of intranasal IFN-α2b were nasal congestion, headache, and rhinorrhea. Our prophylactic health interventions study demonstrates that the daily administration of Nasalferon for 10 days decreases the risk of developing COVID-19 in healthy volunteers. [Figure: see text].

Yin and yang of interferons: lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

The host immune response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 includes the induction of a group of natural antiviral cytokines called interferons (IFNs). Although originally recognized for their ability to potently counteract infections, the mechanistic functions of IFNs in patients with varying severities of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have highlighted a more complex scenario. Cellular and molecular analyses have revealed that timing, location, and subtypes of IFNs produced during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection play a major role in determining disease progression and severity. In this review, we summarize what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about the protective and detrimental roles of IFNs during the inflammatory response elicited against a new respiratory virus across different ages and its longitudinal consequences in driving the development of long COVID-19.

Exploring Paxlovid Efficacy in COVID-19 Patients with MAFLD: Insights from a Single-Center Prospective Cohort Study

This study investigates the intricate interplay between Metabolic-associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) and COVID-19, exploring the impact of MAFLD on disease severity, outcomes, and the efficacy of the antiviral agent Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). MAFLD, affecting a quarter of the global population, emerges as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19, yet the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain elusive. This study focuses on the clinical significance of Paxlovid, the first orally bioavailable antiviral agent granted Emergency Use Authorization in the United States. Notably, outcomes from phase II/III trials exhibit an 88% relative risk reduction in COVID-19-associated hospitalization or mortality among high-risk patients. Despite conflicting data on the association between MAFLD and COVID-19 severity, this research strives to bridge the gap by evaluating the effectiveness of Paxlovid in MAFLD patients with COVID-19, addressing the scarcity of relevant studies.

Overview of anti-viral effects of probiotics via immune cells in pre-, mid- and post-SARS-CoV2 era

The COVID-19 outbreak has caused significant global changes and increased public awareness of SARS-CoV-2. Substantial progress in developing vaccines, enhancing sanitation practices, and implementing various measures to combat the virus, including the utilization of probiotics has been made. This comprehensive review examined the medical impact of clinically proven probiotics on infectious diseases, considering three crucial time periods: before (pre-), during (mid-), and after (post-) COVID-19 pandemic era. This review also showed a perspective on the use of probiotics to stimulate the innate immune system and prevent infectious diseases. In pre-COVID-19 era, several probiotic strains were found to be clinically effective in addressing gastrointestinal infectious diseases, the common cold and flu. However, the mechanism by which probiotics exerted their antiviral effects remained relatively unclear during that period. Nevertheless, probiotics, Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma (LC-Plasma), and others have gained attention for their unique ability to modulate the immune system and demonstrate antiviral properties. While some probiotics have shown promise in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms linked to COVID-19, their direct effectiveness in treating or preventing COVID-19 progression has not yet been conclusively established. As we transition into the post-COVID-19 era, the relationship between COVID-19 and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), a vital component of the innate immune system, has been gradually elucidated. These findings are now being applied in developing novel vaccines and treatments involving interferons and in immune activation research using probiotics as adjuvants, comparable to CpG-DNA through TLR9. The role of the local innate immune system, including pDCs, as the first line of defense against viral infections has gained increasing interest. Moving forward, insight of the immune system and the crosstalk between probiotics and the innate immune system is expected to highlight the role of probiotics in adjunctive immunoregulatory therapy. In combination with drug treatments, probiotics may play a more substantial role in enhancing immune responses. The immunoregulatory approach using probiotics such as LC-Plasma, which can induce anti-infectious factors such as interferons, holds promise as a viable therapeutic and prophylactic option against viral infectious diseases due to their good safety profile and protective efficacy.

The Relationship between COVID-19 Severity in Children and Immunoregulatory Gene Polymorphism

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its outcomes remain one of the most challenging problems today. COVID-19 in children could be asymptomatic, but can result in a fatal outcome; therefore, predictions of the disease severity are important. The goal was to investigate the human genetic factors that could be associated with COVID-19 severity in children. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the following genes were studied: ACE2 (rs2074192), IFNAR2 (rs2236757), TYK2 (rs2304256), OAS1 (rs10774671), OAS3 (rs10735079), CD40 (rs4813003), FCGR2A (rs1801274) and CASP3 (rs113420705). In the case-control study were 30 children with mild or moderate course of the disease; 30 with severe COVID-19 symptoms and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and 15 who were healthy, and who did not have SARS-CoV-2 (PCR negative, Ig G negative). The study revealed that ACE2 rs2074192 (allele T), IFNAR2 rs2236757 (allele A), OAS1 rs10774671 (allele A), CD40 rs4813003 (allele C), CASP3 rs113420705 (allele C) and male sex contribute to severe COVID-19 course and MIS-C in 85.6% of cases. The World Health Organization reported that new SARS-CoV-2 variants may cause previously unseen symptoms in children. Although the study has limitations due to cohort size, the findings can help provide a better understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and proactive pediatric patient management.

Combating pan-coronavirus infection by indomethacin through simultaneously inhibiting viral replication and inflammatory response

Severe infections with coronaviruses are often accompanied with hyperinflammation, requiring therapeutic strategies to simultaneously tackle the virus and inflammation. By screening a safe-in-human broad-spectrum antiviral agents library, we identified that indomethacin can inhibit pan-coronavirus infection in human cell and airway organoids models. Combining indomethacin with oral antiviral drugs authorized for treating COVID-19 results in synergistic anti-coronavirus activity. Coincidentally, screening a library of FDA-approved drugs identified indomethacin as the most potent potentiator of interferon response through increasing STAT1 phosphorylation. Combining indomethacin with interferon-alpha exerted synergistic antiviral effects against multiple coronaviruses. The anti-coronavirus activity of indomethacin is associated with activating interferon response. In a co-culture system of lung epithelial cells with macrophages, indomethacin inhibited both viral replication and inflammatory response. Collectively, indomethacin is a pan-coronavirus inhibitor that can simultaneously inhibit virus-triggered inflammatory response. The therapeutic potential of indomethacin can be further augmented by combining it with oral antiviral drugs or interferon-alpha.

Genetic Predictors of Comorbid Course of COVID-19 and MAFLD: A Comprehensive Analysis

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its potential impact on the severity of COVID-19 have gained significant attention during the pandemic. This review aimed to explore the genetic determinants associated with MAFLD, previously recognized as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and their potential influence on COVID-19 outcomes. Various genetic polymorphisms, including PNPLA3 (rs738409), GCKR (rs780094), TM6SF2 (rs58542926), and LYPLAL1 (rs12137855), have been investigated in relation to MAFLD susceptibility and progression. Genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses have revealed associations between these genetic variants and MAFLD risk, as well as their effects on lipid metabolism, glucose regulation, and liver function. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests a possible connection between these MAFLD-associated polymorphisms and the severity of COVID-19. Studies exploring the association between indicated genetic variants and COVID-19 outcomes have shown conflicting results. Some studies observed a potential protective effect of certain variants against severe COVID-19, while others reported no significant associations. This review highlights the importance of understanding the genetic determinants of MAFLD and its potential implications for COVID-19 outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking these genetic variants to disease severity and to develop gene profiling tools for the early prediction of COVID-19 outcomes. If confirmed as determinants of disease severity, these genetic polymorphisms could aid in the identification of high-risk individuals and in improving the management of COVID-19.

Innate immunity and interferon in SARS-CoV-2 infection outcome

Innate immunity and the actions of type I and III interferons (IFNs) are essential for protection from SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Each is induced in response to infection and serves to restrict viral replication and spread while directing the polarization and modulation of the adaptive immune response. Owing to the distribution of their specific receptors, type I and III IFNs, respectively, impart systemic and local actions. Therapeutic IFN has been administered to combat COVID-19 but with differential outcomes when given early or late in infection. In this perspective, we sort out the role of innate immunity and complex actions of IFNs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19. We conclude that IFNs are a beneficial component of innate immunity that has mediated natural clearance of infection in over 700 million people. Therapeutic induction of innate immunity and use of IFN should be featured in strategies to treat acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in people at risk for severe COVID-19.

Metformin Therapy Changes Gut Microbiota Alpha-Diversity in COVID-19 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Antibiotic Treatment

The gut microbiota play a crucial role in maintaining host health and have a significant impact on human health and disease. In this study, we investigated the alpha diversity of gut microbiota in COVID-19 patients and analyzed the impact of COVID-19 variants, antibiotic treatment, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metformin therapy on gut microbiota composition and diversity. We used a culture-based method to analyze the gut microbiota and calculated alpha-diversity using the Shannon H' and Simpson 1/D indices. We collected clinical data, such as the length of hospital stay (LoS), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. We found that patients with T2D had significantly lower alpha-diversity than those without T2D. Antibiotic use was associated with a reduction in alpha-diversity, while metformin therapy was associated with an increase. We did not find significant differences in alpha-diversity between the Delta and Omicron groups. The length of hospital stay, CRP levels, and NLR showed weak to moderate correlations with alpha diversity. Our findings suggest that maintaining a diverse gut microbiota may benefit COVID-19 patients with T2D. Interventions to preserve or restore gut microbiota diversity, such as avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use, promoting metformin therapy, and incorporating probiotics, may improve patient outcomes.

The Intersection of COVID-19 and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease: An Overview of the Current Evidence

The global population is currently experiencing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which has caused the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With our profound comprehension of COVID-19, encompassing the involvement sequence of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system, and cardiovascular apparatus, the multiorgan symptoms of this infectious disease have been discerned. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a pervasive public health concern intricately linked with metabolic dysregulation and estimated to afflict one-fourth of the global adult population. The burgeoning focus on the association between COVID-19 and MAFLD is justified by the potential role of the latter as a risk factor for both SARS-CoV-2 infection and the subsequent emergence of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Investigations have suggested that changes in both innate and adaptive immune responses among MAFLD patients may play a role in determining the severity of COVID-19. The remarkable similarities observed in the cytokine pathways implicated in both diseases imply the existence of shared mechanisms governing the chronic inflammatory responses characterizing these conditions. The effect of MAFLD on the severity of COVID-19 illness remains uncertain, as indicated by conflicting results in cohort investigations.

Therapeutic Effectiveness of Interferon-α2b against COVID-19 with Community-Acquired Pneumonia: The Ukrainian Experience

Despite several targeted antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 currently being available, the application of type I interferons (IFNs) still deserves attention as an alternative antiviral strategy. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness of IFN-α in hospitalized patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia. The prospective cohort study included 130 adult patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A dose of 80,000 IU of IFN-α2b was administered daily intranasally for 10 days. Adding IFN-α2b to standard therapy reduces the length of the hospital stay by 3 days (p < 0.001). The level of CT-diagnosed lung injuries was reduced from 35% to 15% (p = 0.011) and CT injuries decreased from 50% to 15% (p = 0.017) by discharge. In the group of patients receiving IFN-α2b, the SpO2 index before and after treatment increased from 94 (92-96, Q₁-Q₃) to 96 (96-98, Q₁-Q₃) (p < 0.001), while the percentage of patients with normal saturation increased (from 33.9% to 74.6%, p < 0.05), but the level of SpO2 decreased in the low (from 52.5% to 16.9%) and very low (from 13.6% to 8.5%) categories. The addition of IFN-α2b to standard therapy has a positive effect on the course of severe COVID-19.