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Introduction. Favipiravir is an antiviral compound that inhibits the RNA-dependent polymerase and possesses antiviral properties against RNA viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The new drug Areplivir® Zinc as a combination of favipiravir (200 mg) and zinc gluconate (70 mg) in the form of film-coated tablets has been developed by LLC "PROMOMED RUS", Russia. This combination of favipiravir and zinc gluconate could provide more effective treatment of COVID-19.Aim. The aim of the pharmacokinetics study is comparison between Areplivir® Zinc (INN: favipiravir + zinc gluconate), film-coated tablets (the manufacturer is JSC "Biokhimic", LLC "PROMOMED RUS" as registration certificate holder) and Areplivir® (INN: favipiravir), film-coated tablets (the manufacturer is JSC "Biokhimic", LLC "PROMOMED RUS" as registration certificate holder) to evaluate the effect of zinc on the favipiravir pharmacokinetics.Materials and methods. The clinical and analytical phases as well as pharmacokinetic analyses have been performed as a part of a phase I clinical trial. Chromatographic separation and detection of favipiravir were performed by high-performance liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method using Nexera XR high-performance liquid chromatograph with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer LCMS-8040 (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). The validated analytical range of the method was 50.00–15 000.00 ng/mL in human plasma. The plasma zinc concentrations were measured by a biochemical method with the use of the kit «Zinc-Novo (50)» (JSC "Vector-Best", Russia). The descriptive statistics were calculated using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, USA). The pharmacokinetic parameters, analysis of variance (ANOVA), 90 % confidence intervals (90 % CIs) and the intra-subject variability (CVintra) were calculated by R Project 3.5.1 software (package «bear», version 2.8.3-2), originally created by Hsin-ya Lee and Yung-jin Lee, Taiwan.Results and discussion. The 90 % confidence intervals of the ratios for Сmax and AUC(0–t) were 86.48–100.38 % and 103.77–119.47 %, respectively. The 90 % confidence intervals were all within the acceptance range of 80.00–125.00 % which means there is no effect of zinc on the favipiravir pharmacokinetics. The intra-subject variability (CVintra) of favipiravir for the pharmacokinetic parameters Cmax and AUC(0–t) were 15.06 % and 14.23 %.Conclusion. The results justified the subsequent phases of clinical trials of Areplivir® Zinc (INN: favipiravir + zinc gluconate), film-coated tablets (LLC "PROMOMED RUS", Russia). This combination of favipiravir and zinc could expand the existing armamentarium of antiviral drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.

The aim of the work was to study сytokine response characteristics in the group of persons contacted by a novel coronavirus infection depending on the development of the disease over the next 14 days. Herewith, for the immunocorrection with a preparation based on RNA double-stranded sodium salt (RADAMIN®VIRO) causing a secondary reduction in the risk of COVID-19 in the analyzed group, potential targets had been selected.Materials and methods. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the drug based on RNA double-stranded sodium salt therapeutic effects was conducted in a group of patients who had been in contact with the persons having a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. The method of enzyme immunoassay in dynamics was used to determine the content of interferons alpha and beta (IFNα and IFNβ, respectively), interleukin-1β and -10 (IL1β and IL-10, respectively) in the blood serum and saliva in the contact persons, with a retrospective assessment of changes depending on the administration of the drug or placebo, as well as the development of COVID-19.Results. In the course of the presented study, it was demonstrated that the established content of IFNα (less than 28 pg/ml) and IFNβ (less than 12 pg/ml) in saliva on the 1st–2nd contact days is a predictor of an increased risk of developing COVID-19. Herewith, the increase degree in these immunoregulatory peptides in the interval of 2–3 contact days is important: IFNα and IFNβ allows leveling the negative prognosis in patients by 250% or more. The lowest rates (p

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an RNA double-stranded sodium salt drug, a lyophilisate for a solution preparation for an intramuscular and subcutaneous administration, as a means of post-exposure COVID-19 prophylaxis in comparison with placebo.Material and methods. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, randomized phase III clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a double-stranded sodium salt RNA drug (RADAMIN®VIRO), a lyophilisate for preparing a solution for intramuscular and subcutaneous administration as a means of post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19. The study was conducted in 10 research centers in the Russian Federation from May 31, 2022 to January 17, 2023. The study included men and women aged ≥18 years who cohabitate with a person with a documented COVID-19 diagnosis and do not have symptoms characteristic of COVID-19. At the randomization stage, the subjects were assigned to one of two groups: group 1 (n=400) received a study drug RADAMIN®VIRO 5 mg (1 vial) intramuscularly once a day; group 2 (n=400) received placebo 1 vial intramuscularly once a day. The total duration of the study for each subject was no more than 30 days.Results. By day 10-11, in the double-stranded sodium salt RNA preparation group, the proportion of the subjects with confirmed COVID-19 and at least 1 symptom characteristic of COVID-19 was 5.76% (23/399), and in the placebo group – 11. 03% (44/399). The difference in proportions between the study drug and placebo groups was 0.0526 (5.26%), the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in proportions between the groups was -95% CI [0.0123;0.0937]). More than 94% of single-dose subjects did not become infected with COVID-19 with any symptoms during the 11 days of the follow-up. As a result of a comparative analysis, it was shown that the infection frequency in the study drug group was statistically significantly (almost twice) less than in the comparison group, which indicates a high efficiency and expediency of using the double-stranded sodium salt RNA preparation as a means of the post-exposure COVID-19 prophylaxis.Conclusion. Thus, regardless of the vaccination availability, the effectiveness and feasibility of using the study double-stranded sodium salt RNA preparation as a means of the post-exposure COVID-19 prophylaxis was demonstrated not only in medical institutions (outpatient clinics and hospitals), but also in caregivers and/or the persons in contact with COVID-19 patients. The situation was the same in the organizations and enterprises in case of evolution of a mass infection threat and the availability of appropriate medical personnels.

The article presents the data from an open, two-stage, multicenter study on the efficacy and safety evaluation of a combined drug (a fixed combination of nirmatrelvir 300 mg and ritonavir 100 mg) in the complex therapy in COVID-19 patients.The aim of the study was to assess the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters of the fixed combination of nirmatrelvir 300 mg and ritonavir 100 mg in healthy volunteers, the efficacy and safety assessment of the drug in the combination therapy compared with the standard therapy in COVID-19 patients.Material and methods. An open two-stage multicenter clinical study to assess the main pharmacokinetic parameters, safety, and efficacy against COVID-19 of the drug nirmatrelvir 300 mg and ritonavir 100 mg combination (Skyvira® PROMOMED RUS LLC, Russia) in the adult population, included 2 stages. At stage 1, safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated in healthy volunteers (over 18 years of age) in order to confirm their comparability with the literature data known for a set of active substances. Phase 2 assessed efficacy and safety in COVID-19 patients. As a part of the second stage, the study involved 264 patients (men and women aged 18 to 80 years), who had been divided into two groups. The first group patients (n=132) received the study drugs (nirmatrelvir 300 mg and ritonavir 100 mg) – 1 tablet twice a day with an interval of 12±2 hours for 5 days in combination with pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy. The second group patients (n=132) received standard therapy in accordance with the approved Temporary Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Novel Coronavirus Infection (Version 15 dated February 22, 2022).Results. During the study, none of the patients from the (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) group experienced a transition of the COVID-19 course to a heavier severity level, in contrast to the patients in the standard therapy group. The study participants included patients with comorbidities (68% of the general population), with risk factors for COVID-19 progression to a heavier severity level and the risk of hospitalization (75% of the general population). There were no cases of COVID-19 progression to a heavier severity level in the study drug group. By the 6th day, in the nirmatrelvir + ritonavir group, the proportion of the patients who had achieved a complete recovery was twice more and amounted to 35.61% (p=0.0001), and the proportion of the patients with a negative RNA analysis to SARS-CoV-2 was 20% higher than in the comparison group, and amounted to 82.58% (p=0.0001). The fixed nirmatrelvir + ritonavir combination therapy has a favorable safety profile comparable to the standard therapy. The identified adverse reactions were transient in nature and did not require discontinuation of therapy or changes in the treatment regimen.Conclusion. The fixed nirmatrelvir + ritonavir combination has a favorable safety profile in COVID-19 patients, comparable to the standard therapy. The data obtained demonstrate a clinical and pharmacoeconomic feasibility of including the fixed (nirmatrelvir + ritonavir) combination in the COVID-19 treatment regimen.

The article presents modern scientific data on long-term clinical and pathogenetic effects of the antiviral drug Areplivir (Favipiravir) in patients with metabolic syndrome in the post-COVID period.The aim of the article is to study long-term cytokine-mediated (IL-6/sIL6r and LIF/sLIFr) pathogenetic effects of the favipiravir (Areplivir®) based drug on the incidence of complications in patients with metabolic syndrome in the post-COVID period.Material and methods. With the approval of the local ethics committee at the N.P. Ogarevs Mordovia State University (Protocol No. 5 dated May 17, 2020) “An open prospective comparative study of the Areplivir® (Favipiravir) drug effectiveness in reducing the risk of complications in the post-COVID period in patients with metabolic syndrome” in the Republic of Mordovia was carried out.The study included 190 metabolic syndrome patients who received the outpatient treatment for COVID-19 at Saransk polyclinics from February 2021 to March 2021. The case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in accordance with the current Temporary Guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the new coronavirus infection.Results. The analysis of the metabolic syndrome patients’ follow-up within 1 year after undergoing COVID-19, revealed significant differences in the incidence of complications depending on the intake of the favipiravir based drug. The patients who were administrated with favipiravir at the early stage of infection, were characterized by lower serum levels of four members of the interleukin 6 family – IL-6 (IL-6, sIL6r and LIF, sLIFr) 10, 30 and 180 days after a clinical and laboratory recovery (p

Research in the development of new therapeutic agents with a wide spectrum of the antiviral activity and a low ability to develop resistance remains the main dimension in combating the global threat to public health. The need for a parenteral form of favipiravir was dictated by the necessity to increase the efficacy of therapy in COVID-19 inpatients. This dosage form has expanded the possibilities of drug therapy in the inpatients, for whom a therapeutic effect acceleration and a high safety profile of the drugs used are especially important.The aim of the article is the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a medicinal product containing favipiravir for the parenteral administration against the background of pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy, in comparison with standard therapy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.Materials and methods. An open, randomized, multicenter comparative study was conducted in 6 research centers in the Russian Federation to evaluate the efficacy and safety of favipiravir, a lyophilisate for the preparation of a concentrate for the infusion solution administrated to the patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Screening procedures and randomization were completed in 217 patients, 209 of which had completed the study in accordance with the protocol.Results. Between the study groups, statistically significant differences have been found out, making it possible to consider the hypothesis of the drug Areplivir (favipiravir) superiority for the parenteral administration over the standard therapy, which included favipiravir (p. o.) and remdesivir. A comparative analysis has shown that a course of therapy with the parenteral favipiravir drug leads to a significant improvement in the condition of patients with COVID-19, significant benefits in terms of the speed and frequency of improvement in the clinical status of patients, as well as a reduction in the hospital stay length. It has been proven that therapy with a drug containing favipiravir for the parenteral administration does not adversely affect the parameters of clinical and biochemical blood tests, urinalysis, coagulograms, vital signs and ECG, which indicates the therapy safety. The study drug is characterized by a high safety profile and tolerability.Conclusion. The versatility and resistance to mutations of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase make it possible to consider it as the main target for combating the most common RNA viruses that cause ARVI, that determines the need further studies of favipiravir to expand the range of its indications.

Rowell syndrome is a rare cluster of symptoms characterized by clinical manifestation of lupus erythematosus and erythema multiforme (EM). About 100 cases of the syndrome have been reported in medical publications during the last 100 years. This may be related to misinterpretation of the symptoms and subsequent incorrect diagnosis due to its EM-like manifestations. Important clues for the diagnosis of Rowell syndrome are findings of positive rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibodies and other erythematoid markers, as well as additional investigations, in particular, direct immunofluorescence technique. The paper describes a clinical case of Rowell syndrome in a 16-year old male patient. The diagnosis was challenging due to EM-like skin manifestations and required additional laboratory work-up, as well as the patient's follow-up. The diagnosis of Rowell syndrome was based on the clinical manifestations and on such diagnostic criteria as positive rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies, as well as histological and laboratory abnormalities characteristic of the erythematosis. The patient was hospitalized and received the following treatment: prednisolone infusion (2.5 mg/kg/daily for 7 days), chloropyramine (1 mL i.m. twice daily for 5 days), hydroxychloroquine (6.5 mg/kg daily for 5 days), magnesium asparaginate/potassium asparaginate (one tablet (166.3 mg/175 mg) 3 times daily for 7 days), topical methylprednisolone aceponate cream 1% (once daily for 7 days). The treatment resulted in positive changes in the skin lesion and improvement of his general state. This clinical observation gives an example of classic Rowell syndrome proven both by lab and clinical signs, taking into account skin symptoms of lupus erythematosus and EM-like rash.

Approaches to the diagnostics and therapy of atopic dermatitis (AtD) were studied, as well as AtD phenotypes and modern views on pathogenesis of this disease, main principles of complex therapy for children with AtD, including dietary therapy and preparations for systemic and topical AtD therapy.

Objective: to reveal ultrasonic features of of epithelial, dermal and vascular benign skin formations. Materials and methods. An ultrasonic study of 50 acantholytic nevuses, 50 acrochordons and 30 hemangiomas, which have an unambiguous clinical and dermatoscopic pattern and do not require differential diagnosis, was carried out. For the comparative evaluation of ultrasonic thickness and density of skin the ratio of scan indices in the lesion area relative to the indices in the adjacent healthy area of the skin was introduced. Results. On the scans of acantholytic nevus the formations that rose above the skin surface, with a nonuniform thickened, hyperechoic epidermis were visualized, in which hypoechoic round-shaped patches occur. A hypoechoic acoustic shadow was determined under the epidermis. On the scans of acrochordons the formations on a narrow base, which were located above the skin surface were visualized. In the region of formations, a discontinuous contour of epidermis with predominantly hyperechogenic areas was determined. Within the formations, the structure of the dermis is heterogeneous with the alternation of normoechoic and hypoechoic areas. Beneath the formation an epidermis structurally similar to the healthy skin epidermis is determined on the level of skin surface under which hypoechoic zone is visualized, which is an acoustic shadow. On the scans of hemangiomas the formations were visualized that rose above the skin surface, with a distinct lateral delimitation from the surrounding tissues. In the area of formations, the epidermis is non-uniformly thickened than healthy skin, hyperechoic round-shaped areas are visualized. Non-uniformly hypoechoic irregulary-shaped regions were determined in the dermis. Conclusion. All examined formations differ from healthy skin by increasing the thickness of the epidermis and dermis, as well as strengthening the overall acoustic solidity of the epidermis and decreasing the acoustic solidity of the dermis. The introduction of the ratio into practice makes it possible to quantify these changes. Moreover, each formation has a peculiar ultrasonic characteristic, allowing the use of pattern analysis for differential diagnosis between epithelial, dermal and vascular forms of benign skin formations.

Background: One of the basic principles for the treatment of COVID-19 patients is the early initiation of etiotropic therapy. The evidence base for assessment of the efficacy and safety of antivirals for COVID-19 continues to expand with new clinical trials. One of the promising etiotropic medications is molnupiravir. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of molnupiravir (Esperavir) in outpatients with COVID-19. Materials and methods: This randomized comparative open-label clinical study was conducted from December 1, 2021 to March 11, 2022 in 12 research centers in the Russian Federation. The study involved 240 outpatients with mild and moderate COVID-19. The mean age of patients was 43.5 years; 70,0% (168/240) of the patients had comorbidities, mainly obesity grade II and arterial hypertension. The outpatients were treated with molnupiravir (Esperavir, PROMOMED RUS LLC, Russia) in 4 capsules 200 mg twice daily (every 12 hours), with the single dose being 800 mg and the daily dose 1600 mg. Duration of treatment was 5 days. The patients were followed up for 28 days. The patients in the standard treatment group (n = 120) received antiviral therapy recommended for outpatients by the provisional guidelines effective at the time of the study. Pathogenetic and symptomatic therapy in both groups was comparable. Results: The results of the clinical study in 240 outpatients with mild or moderate COVID-19 showed that molnupiravir at a dose of 800 mg twice daily for 5 days significantly reduced (by 4-hold at days 1415 of the follow-up) the risk of disease progression to more severe course, compared with the standard therapy group (2.5% (3/120) and 10.0% (12/120) of patients; p = 0.0149.) By days 67 of the follow-up, the virus had been eliminated in 71.67% of the patients treated with the study drug and only in 58.3% (70/120) of the patients in the standard therapy group. Complete clinical recovery at days 67 was achieved in 19.2% (23/120) of the patients in the molnupiravir group, compared to 5.8% (7/120) in the standard therapy group. Compared to the standard therapy, treatment with molnupiravir also significantly reduced the frequency and severity of the disease symptoms, such as cough and change in odor or taste perception over the last 24 hours, already at 67 days after the start of treatment. Molnupiravir treatment was well tolerated, most adverse events were mild. There were no cases of drug withdrawal or dose modification of the study drug due to adverse events. Conclusion: The results of the clinical study of antiviral agent molnupiravir (Esperavir) have proven its benefits over standard therapy in outpatients with mild and moderate COVID-19 in terms of the disease worsening risk reduction and hospitalization, the rate of viral elimination, the changes in symptoms severity over time, improvement of the patients general status and clinical condition and reduction of COVID-19 complications both in patients without and with risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes. The results of this study demonstrated a favorable safety profile of molnupiravir in COVID-19 patients.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) belongs to histiocytic proliferative diseases, which are rare in clinical practice; however they pose significant challenges both for their diagnosis and choice of therapeutic strategies. Histiocytic proliferative diseases are the scope of oncology; nevertheless, at the diagnostic stage the patients are referred to pediatricians or dermatologists. That is why the interdisciplinary interaction of various specialties and common approaches to their classification, diagnosis and treatment are important for the management of patients with histiocytic proliferative disorders. Accumulation of the studies on the LCH pathophysiology has promoted the development of new diagnostic algorithms and treatment methods. After the fact of MAPK signal pathway activation had been established, the potential target for therapy was identified. Neoplastic nature of LCH has been hypothesized. If confirmed, we can expect actual diagnostic algorithms being elaborated, in particular, the potential to predict the disease depending on the tumor clone mutation type. The unique characteristics of LCH including proliferate clonality (presumable of neoplastic nature), the disease course with spontaneous regression and frequent relapses and tropism to certain tissues (target organs) make up the grounds for further in-depth studies of the disease.

Enteropathic acrodermatitis is a rare form of genodermatoses, a group of hereditary disorders with prevailing skin lesions. The disease manifestation in children is associated with withdrawal of breastfeeding and switch to the cow milk-based products, which makes it difficult to differentiate enteropathic acrodermatitis from allergic dermatoses. We describe a familial case of enteropathic acrodermatitis in a 4-month old girl with advanced skin lesions and diarrhea. The familial history positive for enteropathic dermatitis made it possible to immediately suspect this diagnosis in the patient and to administer a zinc sulfate-containing agent before the genetic test results have become available. The response to therapy was obtained within a few days. Genetic testing of the patient identified a new mutation in exon 10 of the SLC39A4 gene. Proper collection of the past history and physician's vigilance to zinc-deficient conditions in acral dermatitis combined with alopecia and diarrhea in infants would allow for a timely and proper diagnosis and choice of a subsequent management strategy.

Cicatricial skin hypertrophy includes keloids and hypertrophic scars. Keloid scarring is thought to result from an imbalance between increased synthesis of collagen and extracellular matrix and decreased degradation of these products. Current knowledge of keloid pathophysiology prompts clinicians to investigate new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of keloids, as well as their prevention.