Background Emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is a major healthcare threat. Apparently, the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) is armed by special abilities to spread and dysregulate the immune mechanisms. The likelihood of oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) development in COVID‐19 patients with a list of attributable risk factors for oral infections has not yet been investigated. Objectives We here aim to investigate the prevalence, causative agents, and antifungal susceptibility pattern of OPC in Iranian COVID‐19 patients. Patients and Methods A total of 53 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients with OPC were studied. Relevant clinical data were mined. Strain identification was performed by 21‐plex PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1‐5.8S‐ITS2). Antifungal susceptibility testing to fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B, caspofungin, micafungin and anidulafungin was performed according to the CLSI broth dilution method. Results In 53 COVID‐19 patients with OPC, cardiovascular diseases (52.83 %), and diabetes (37.7 %) were the principal underlying conditions. The most common risk factor was lymphopenia (71%). In total, 65 Candida isolates causing OPC were recovered. C. albicans (70.7%) was the most common, followed by C. glabrata (10.7%), C. dubliniensis (9.2%), C. parapsilosis sensu stricto (4.6%), C. tropicalis (3%), and Pichia kudriavzevii (= C. krusei , 1.5%). Majority of the Candida isolates were susceptible to all three classes of antifungal drugs. Conclusion Our data clarified some concerns regarding the occurrence of OPC in Iranian COVID‐19 patients. Further studies should be conducted to design an appropriate prophylaxis program and improve management of OPC in critically ill COVID‐19 patients.

Background Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble nutrient that functions as a key antioxidant and has been proven to be effective for boosting immunity. In this study, we aimed to assess the efficacy of adding high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) to the regimens for patients with severe COVID-19 disease. Methods An open-label, randomized, and controlled trial was conducted on patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The case and control treatment groups each consisted of 30 patients. The control group received lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine and the case group received HDIVC (6 g daily) added to the same regimen. Results There were no statistically significant differences between two groups with respect to age and gender, laboratory results, and underlying diseases. The mean body temperature was significantly lower in the case group on the 3rd day of hospitalization (p = 0.001). Peripheral capillary oxygen saturations (SpO2) measured at the 3rd day of hospitalization was also higher in the case group receiving HDIVC (p = 0.014). The median length of hospitalization in the case group was significantly longer than the control group (8.5 days vs. 6.5 days) (p = 0.028). There was no significant difference in SpO2 levels at discharge time, the length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions We did not find significantly better outcomes in the group who were treated with HDIVC in addition to the main treatment regimen at discharge. Trial registration irct.ir (IRCT20200411047025N1), April 14, 2020

Highlights Ventricular arrhythmias can occur with concurrent use of azithromycin (AZM) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). Combination therapy with HCQ+AZM can reduce the hospital length of stay in COVID-19 patients. Preparatory risk assessment can limit the risk of arrhythmia in patients receiving HCQ+AZM combination therapy.