Background Currently, there is no specific drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Therapeutic benefits of intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG) have been demonstrated in wide range of diseases. The present study is conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of IVIG in the treatment of COVID-19 patients with moderate pneumonia. Methods An open-label, multicenter, comparative, randomized study was conducted on COVID-19 patients with moderate pneumonia. 100 eligible patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio either to receive IVIG + standard of care (SOC) or SOC. Results Duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in IVIG group to that of SOC alone (7.7 Vs. 17.5 days). Duration for normalization of body temperature, oxygen saturation and mechanical ventilation were significantly shorter in IVIG compared to SOC. Percentages of patients on mechanical ventilation in two groups were not significantly different (24% Vs. 38%). Median time to RT-PCR negativity was significantly shorter with IVIG than SOC (7 Vs.18 days). There were only mild to moderate adverse events in both groups except for one patient (2%), who died in SOC. Conclusions IVIG was safe and efficacious as an adjuvant with other antiviral drugs in the treatment of COVID-19. The trial was registered under Clinical Trial Registry, India (CTRI/2020/06/026222).

Background: Acute poisoning, a therapeutic emergency and one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. The rate of mortality in developed countries range from 1-2%, but in India it varies between 15-30%. According to World Health Organization (WHO), globally more than three million acute poisoning cases with 2,20,000 deaths occur annually. Most of the fatalities are due to the victim not reaching the hospital in time. This study aims to evaluate the pattern of acute cases of poisoning in tertiary care hospital attached to BMCRI.Methods: Prospective, observational study based on hospital records at tertiary care hospital (twelve months). Data regarding demographic profile and treatment was collected. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and SPSS-24.Results: Out of a total of 810 poisoning cases, 608 were included (381 poisoning, 138 drug overdose and 89 snake bite). Organophosphorus compounds (OPC) (131/608) and Aluminium phosphide (43/608) were the commonest poisons consumed in the age group 21-30 years. Sedative-hypnotics, non-benzodiazepine antiepileptics (non BZD AEDs) and paracetamol were common drug overdose cases. Snake bite accounted for 14.6%.Conclusions: OP compounds were the most common among poisons, while sedatives-hypnotics were frequently consumed drugs, followed by Snake bite. Young adults from urban areas were the common victims with suicidal intention. This reflects the need for stringent rules regarding the availability and sale of drugs and poisonous substances.