BioProject

Several clinical studies have reported efficacy of favipiravir in reducing viral load and shortening duration of symptoms, but its effect on viability of SARS-CoV-2 and potential for resistance development is unclear. More...

Several clinical studies have reported efficacy of favipiravir in reducing viral load and shortening duration of symptoms, but its effect on viability of SARS-CoV-2 and potential for resistance development is unclear. We conducted genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal specimens collected from patients who participated in a randomized clinical trial of favipiravir at hospitals across Japan between March and May 2020. Paired genomes were also sequenced from a subset of patients who remained RT-PCR-positive with low Cp values 5-8 days into favipiravir therapy or 6 days into supportive therapy. Daily nasopharyngeal specimens were examined for cytopathic effect to detect viable virus and compared with RT-PCR results. The SARS-CoV-2 genome distribution in this clinical trial reflected the early influx of clades from China followed by replacement by clades from Europe. We observed a trend towards lower virus viability with favipiravir therapy, but the association was not statistically significant. There was no evidence of resistance development on therapy. Less...